Client News > Release
04-06-2010
Google Social Action Group helps silver surfers to engage online
You’re never to old to engage online. This is the message from Google Ireland’s Social Action Group which has been hosting Internet classes for over 200 people aged 50 years and over all this week at it’s European Headquarters in Dublin.
Google Ireland’s Social Action Group develops community outreach programmes for its employees to increase involvement in the local community. This week local community groups including St. Andrew’s Resource Centre Pearse Street, Liberties College, The Larkin Centre and Nascadh Community Development Programme have been having one to one Internet tuition with Google employees on how to use the Internet, email and social networking websites like Skype, Facebook and Twitter.
“Using the Internet is something that today’s generation has grown up with so it’s very easy for them,” said Sinead Gibney of Google Ireland’s Social Action Group. “We set up this week of classes as we want as many people of all ages to use the Internet. Some people don’t need to use a computer for work and they have had very little exposure to what they can do online like shopping, staying in touch with family and friends or even researching family history. This week’s events are about helping older people understand how the Internet is relevant to them and showing them how easy it is to use the Internet and communicate online.”
She added “Internet usage is not yet reflective of all groups in our society and until it is, we are missing out. We wouldn’t be happy if our newspapers excluded contributions from older people, and we should be thinking about the Internet in the same way and do everything we can to make it a more inclusive place for all.”
