Support for Tackling Digital Exclusion: Navigating Online Essentials with Confidence

There are many things you are able to do on the internet. Such as:

• One of the first things you should do online is set up an email (electronic mail) account. It's a free and easy way to stay in touch with family and friends, and it's the main way that organisations and companies communicate with people.

• You can use messaging and video-calling apps and social media to socialise online, whether you want to stay in touch with friends and family or meet new people.

• You can use the internet to do your shopping from the comfort and convenience of your own home. Goods can be delivered directly to your house (usually for a small delivery fee)

• Using online banking means you can keep control of your finances from home and whilst you're out and about, using your bank's website or app. 

• Most utility companies or services like council tax allow you to manage your accounts online. 

• It's important that you're able to get help from a GP if you need it, but it's increasingly common to only be able to book GP appointments online.

• You can watch TV on your computer, smartphone or tablet on the BBC (known as 'BBC iPlayer'), ITV (known as 'ITVX'), Channel 4 and Channel 5 websites.

• The internet is full of resources to help keep you busy, learn new skills or practise your hobbies – whether you're a keen cook looking for recipe ideas, or you want some tips to help you look after your garden.

Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and many people are caught out, even those who are regular internet users. Every year in the UK, millions of people lose money to scammers or unknowingly share their personal information.

But knowing what to look for can help you avoid scams and fraud. 

Age UK have some usesful information on different scams and what to look out more.

Read more here.

If you have a visual impairment or low vision, there are many ways you can just the display settings of your device to make it easier to use.

To make font size bigger on an Android Device

• Open the devices settings

• Tap 'Accessiblity' then 'Font Size' for phone or 'Display Size' for tablet

• Use slider to choose your prefered size

To make font size bigger on an Apple Device

• Open your devices settings 

• Scroll down to find 'accessibility', or you can type 'accessibility' into the search bar at the top of the screen. Then click 'display & text size'. 

• Click on 'larger text' and then 'larger accessibility sizes'. You can then use the slider to choose the text size you'd like.

Find out more ways to make your devices more accessible for you on Age UK's website. Click here.

Email is electronic mail. It's a free and easy way to stay in touch with family and friends. You'll need an email account to access online services, shop or bank online, set up a social media account, and sign up to email newsletters.

Learn how to set up an email here.

Video calling is a great way to stay connected because it lets you and the person you're talking to see each other while you chat. Video calls use the internet, so if you're using a Wi-Fi connection, you can call people who live abroad at no extra cost. This can help you stay in touch with your friends and family if they live far away.

You can video call on:

• Whatsapp

• Facebook Messenger

• Zoom

• Skype

• iPhone Facetime 

Social media is a great ways to stay connected – by chatting with family and friends or following public figures and organisations. You might even meet people with similar interests or hobbies. 

See Age UK's website on how to set up accounts on different social media platforms and how to protect your privacy. Read more here.

Online banking allows you to keep control of your finances from home or whilst you're out and about on your bank's website or smartphone app. Banks take the security of accounts very seriously and invest lots of time and money to make sure your online account is safe.

There are measures you can take to keep your money safe. Read more here.

Shopping online is quick and convenient – it can be done from the comfort of your own home, or even when you're out and about. But it's important that you shop securely by protecting your personal and financial information. 

Read more on how to shop online and doing so securely here.