Stay Savvy, Surf Safely: Spotting Internet Dangers in the Digital Age
Seniors are especially vulnerable to internet exploitation, scams, and misinformation due to lower internet literacy skills; social isolation; and their increased reliance on virtual spaces. They are specifically targeted by scammers and abusers who see them as an easy mark. Due to a lack of education and the embarrassment that comes with being a victim of this behavior, the topic may go unaddressed in the community – leaving seniors vulnerable to further abuse. With the rise of AI, deepfakes, and new scams it is becoming increasingly hard to identify bad actors, making it all the more critical to deliver this content.
This presentation will serve as an introduction to the risks and rewards of the internet with a focus on how new technological advancements can serve as a tool to exploit people. Specifically, this content is tailored to senior populations who are especially vulnerable to online scams and abuse. Seniors will also learn more about how their loved ones (e.g. youth) are vulnerable on the internet in addition to growing skills so they can spot dangers at a distance. Ultimately, they should be able to identify red flags when they observe them on the internet and know the relevant avenues to seek help if they are targeted.
The capacity of online technology has grown by leaps and bounds in an extraordinarily short period of time, leaving many of us underprepared for the full risks we now face online. Bad actors have an ever-expanding toolkit at their disposal, and many have chosen to focus their attention on seniors. Increasingly, senior populations are specifically targeted by scams even as many of them are more and more reliant on using virtual spaces for everyday functions (i.e. banking, shopping, and healthcare). This presentation aims to educate and empower seniors so that they feel more knowledgeable about modern technology use and the safety mechanisms they can implement to protect themselves and others.
Seniors are not uniquely vulnerable to internet exploitation, but they may be targeted by tailored tactics to extract money, inflict physical or emotional harm, or expose their information. Seniors may feel shame when they do fall for these tactics, especially if the abuse is of a romantic or sexual nature, which can cause stigma and prevent them from seeking help. This presentation aims not only to identify the risks on the internet, but also empower victims to know that they are not alone. Those who seek to cause harm will use any tool at their disposal – what we can do is grow skills and gain confidence to respond if someone does decide to target us. Ultimately, participants should leave the presentation with a better understanding of the risks online, safety strategies to protect themselves and their information, and a plan of response if they should be targeted.
Topics will include internet safety, common scams, AI and deepfakes, grooming, sexploitation, love bombing, extortion and blackmail, harassment, and more.