Safety Toolkit for Consumer and Personal Data Protection for the Elderly during Internet Use

Studies estimate that by 2060 at least one in three Europeans will be over 65. The European Commission argues that digital technology can help older people to stay healthy, independent and active atwork or in their community for longer and it helps to improve our quality of life. Since the Digital Single Market strategy has been adopted, several studies have identified the lack of digital skillsamong the elderly.

Therefore, there is a strong need to educate EU citizens and the elderly on how to access and engage in online activities by experiencing high level of consumer and personaldata protection. Specifically, the elderly generally lacks awareness of current security threats, and remain under-educated in terms of applying appropriate controlsand safeguards to their computers and networking devices.

The primary target group of e-Protect project which is elderly people (people aged 65+) will be empowered and develop their self-confidence when using the internet and thus supportthe improved integration in the labour market and society.