Early this week, as part of Australia’s Be Connected – Get Online Week 2025 initiative, Gold Coast Seniors On The Net (SOTN) hosted a free community event titled “Safety Online & Fun Tech” at the Southport Community Centre.
The session welcomed over 50 participants and special guests Cr Brooke Patterson – Councillor for Division 6 of the City of Gold Coast, and Dawn Crichlow OAM, Patron and Life Member of SOTN. At the event, seniors learned how to recognise scams, avoid phishing emails, and access trusted online resources through the Be Connected program.
Participants also explored how technology can enrich everyday life – discovering easy-to-use digital tools such as Libby, Spotify, YouTube, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini that help them stay informed, entertained, and socially connected.
“We’re standing at an exciting intersection of technology and everyday life,” said Vincent Ngo, Tutor Coordinator at Seniors On The Net. “Our goal is to show that technology isn’t complicated — it’s simply another way to stay curious, creative, and connected. Once seniors take that first step, they quickly discover how much joy and independence it can bring.”
The event was made possible through the Be Connected – Get Online Week Grant from the Good Things Foundation, supported by the Australian Government, helping local organisations encourage Australians aged over 50 to build digital confidence.
“At Seniors On The Net, our mission is to make technology feel friendly and safe — something everyone can use to stay informed, entertained, and connected,” said Faye Scotton, President of Seniors On The Net. “With the motto ‘Seniors helping seniors’, we’ve built a welcoming community where members share what they know and support one another. Over the years, we’ve grown into a trusted computer club for Gold Coast seniors.”
The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who appreciated the friendly learning environment and the practical, engaging approach to technology education.
