A digital literacy program helping older Australians boost their online skills will be extended for another four years.
The Albanese government on Friday announced a $42 million boost to the Be Connected program.
It supports people over the age of 50 with free digital literacy training and access to devices, allowing them to safely use technology.
The investment will extend the program through to 2028, from its previous end date of mid-2024.
Under the funding, an additional 300,000 older people will be helped through almost 4000 community organisations.
The program aims to educate Australians about how to access essential services online, including net banking, shopping, telehealth and government services.
Secondary school students have been enlisted to act as young mentors to the program participants.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said targeted digital literacy support programs for older Australians were crucial, as society became increasingly reliant on technology.
"We know in a time where technology is rapidly increasing, more services and supports are actually being provided online,” Ms Rishworth said.
"If we don't actually support those that are digitally excluded be part of this, then we know that they will miss out.
"Social media can help Australians to stay in touch with friends and loved ones who may live far away, reducing loneliness and isolation."
Support will be available across the nation as the government works with libraries, community groups, retirement villages and aged care facilities.
Sharon Sands, a digital mentor with the program at Canberra Seniors' Centre, said the program was able to offer individualised help to members.
"They want to be able to stay in touch with their family and friends ... to do simple things like attaching photos to emails, sorting photos," she said.
"I suspect often they feel more disconnected than they actually are. They feel like they've been left behind."
The program is aimed at engaging with older Australians to give them a sense of confidence and competence.
"What they really need is confidence, and someone to say, 'It's OK to press buttons, nothing bad is going to happen," Ms Sands said.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the program would bridge the digital divide.
“The young mentors in particular is helping connect Australians of different ages to build their digital skills and confidence, and encourage genuine connections across generations," she said.
The program was built on the success of an earlier initiative helping older people with digital skills, which was replaced in 2017.
More than 470,000 people have benefited from the Be Connected program.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said Australians needed help in learning to protect themselves against scams.
Australia's consumer watchdog last year found people aged over 45 lost more than $300 million to scammers.
"These figures are staggering,” Mr Jones said.
“Australians who are digitally literate, alert and educated to the risk of scams will be make them less attractive targets to scammers.”
The program provides practical support for older Australians to deal with the risk of scams.
"If you don't have the confidence or you're not very in tune with some of these things, you can be more at risk to those online scams," Ms Rishworth said.
"In addition to ensuring the digital literacy capability is there, there's also a focus on how to do it safely."
