Media release: Get Online Week 2021

National Get Online Week 18-24 October: Addressing isolation amongst digitally excluded Australians

Help someone you love get online and get connected this Get Online Week.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 12 OCT, 2021: Good Things Foundation Australia’s Get Online Week campaign is taking place from 18-24 October 2021. Get Online Week aims to close the digital divide by supporting Australians who are not confident getting online to get connected.

Good Things Foundation Australia has mobilised their nationwide network of community organisations to get involved in Get Online Week 2021. 500 fun and free COVID-Safe digital skills events will be held online and in-person during the week.

This year’s Get Online Week theme ‘Get online. Get connected’ highlights how important it is for everyone to have the skills, access and confidence they need to connect with loved ones, work, school, support and services.

COVID-19 and ongoing lockdowns continue to show how not being confident online can create further barriers to participating in society and essential tasks, like checking in with QR codes and showing vaccination certificates.

One of the biggest impacts of digital exclusion during COVID-19 has been the isolation from family and friends during what is already an incredibly hard time for many.

Jess Wilson, CEO of Good Things Foundation Australia, says that learning the digital skills needed to get online is particularly important for Australians today.

“Less than 40% of Australians currently feel confident they can keep up with the rapid pace of tech changes. That’s a lot of us who could use an extra helping hand to get online and get connected,” said Jess.

“Everyone deserves to have the opportunity to connect with their family and friends. That’s why helping people get connected is so important to us, especially with lockdowns increasing feelings of isolation and loneliness for many.

“You can help someone you love to get online and get connected this Get Online Week by using the tips on our website to start a conversation or referring them to a local event for support.”

People needing support to learn digital skills can find a local Get Online Week event by contacting Good Things Foundation on 1300 795 897 or going to www.getonlineweek.com.

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Information for Editors

• Get Online Week is an annual digital inclusion campaign run by Good Things Foundation across Australia and the UK. Get Online Week in Australia has been running since 2018. In 2020, Get Online Week reached 23,500 Australians to get online.
• Good Things Foundation Australia also manages grant distribution and capacity building for 3,500 Network Partners for the Australian Government’s Be Connected digital skills program. The Be Connected program recently reached its one millionth learner and $20 million in small grants distributed to community organisations to deliver the program.

Available for interview:

• Jess Wilson, CEO, Good Things Foundation

About Good Things Foundation Australia

Good Things Foundation Australia is a social change charity helping people to improve their lives through digital. We build capacity in community organisations to deliver digital skills programs across the country. www.goodthingsfoundation.org.au

For interviews, images or further information, please contact:

Cassandra Strakosch
Head of Communications & Engagement, Good Things Foundation Australia
Ph: (02) 9051 9292
Email: communications@goodthingsfoundation.org