More older Canadians than ever are using smartphones, tablets and other digital technologies, yet their ability to navigate the digital world hasn’t always kept pace. Digital literacy—the combination of reading, writing, technical skills and critical thinking needed to use technology effectively—remains a challenge for many.
According to Statistics Canada, over 8 in 10 adults aged 65 years and older used the internet in 2022. Digital literacy levels vary significantly within the older adult population, and some older adults are highly proficient. Importantly, digital literacy isn’t something you achieve once—it’s an ongoing process of learning and adapting to an ever-evolving digital world. Numerous technology support initiatives for older adults have been launched—in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic—however, the effectiveness of these initiatives is less understood.
To address this gap, a new research study has been launched to generate a better understanding of how best to deliver digital literacy education to older Canadians. The study brings together industry, academic, government and non-profit organizations and is funded by AGE-WELL, Canada’s technology and aging network, and Best Buy Canada, the country’s largest consumer electronics retailer.
The research initiative is led by co-principal investigators Dr. Heidi Sveistrup, Rehabilitation Sciences Professor at the University of Ottawa and member of the Sensors and Analytics for Monitoring Mobility and Memory (SAM3) AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub, and Dr. Bruce Wallace, Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University, Executive Director of SAM3 and Affiliate Investigator at Bruyère Health Research Institute. They will evaluate and compare an online approach, Best Buy’s Digital Citizen platform, and an in-person approach, Connected Canadians’ workshops. Recommendations from the study will share how to customize and disseminate digital literacy programs so they have maximum reach, efficacy and accessibility for older adults across Canada.
Dr. Sveistrup, a Senior Investigator at Bruyère Health Research Institute, was keen to lead this project because of how her parents struggled to navigate the technology necessary to access government services, banking and medical appointments when they moved provinces in their 80s. Dr. Sveistrup notes that while there is a broad range of digital literacy abilities among older adults, there are a number who need digital literacy support just as her parents did.
Connected Canadians’ certified trainers guide older adults through the digital literacy education at the research study’s first workshop in the spring of 2025.
“Older adults can and want to learn, so it’s important to provide targeted opportunities,” said Dr. Sveistrup. “That’s part of this research project—to look at which approaches speak more to particular groups of older adults, how we potentially combine them, and how we ensure people know that these programs are out there.”
Through a partnership with the City of Ottawa, Dr. Sveistrup and her team will conduct two on-site workshops in spring 2025: one delivered in English and the other in French for up to 60 older adults. Each workshop will organize the older adults into two cohorts to compare and evaluate the delivery of the same topic using the online Digital Citizen platform and the in-person workshop led by Connected Canadians’ certified trainers. The research team will follow up on the workshop findings with further exploration of how to make digital literacy more accessible to various types of communities (e.g., rural, new Canadians) through the different methods with consideration for a potential hybrid model.
Best Buy’s Digital Citizen started as an on-site program delivered to older adults in seniors’ centres and residences. During the pandemic, it moved online permanently, and the team has continued to build up its digital library of how-to resources (e.g., How to send an email, how to take a picture with a phone) and knowledge-based courses (e.g., How to detect a scam).
“We want to empower older Canadians through digital literacy,” shared Sara Aghvami, Director of Inclusion & Belonging, Best Buy Canada, who helped establish Best Buy’s partnership with AGE-WELL in 2019. “This new research opportunity allows us to find out from users which learning approach makes more sense for whom so we can understand further how we support this demographic and provide them with what they need.”
Established in 2018, Connected Canadians is a national digital inclusion charity that promotes digital literacy skills amongst older adults by providing free technology training and support. Their certified trainers provide older adults with digital education via in-person workshops and one-on-one support to build skills to find information, access services, and connect online.
Connected Canadians’ CEO & President Emily Jones Joanisse explained, “From this study, we would like to understand where the strengths are in both methods and how we can better reach folks to ensure more older Canadians have the digital literacy skills that they need to operate in this very digital world.”
“Older Canadians have a strong interest in using digital technologies, including solutions that support aging in place. However, many still face barriers to access,” said Bridgette Murphy, Acting CEO of AGE-WELL. “That’s why AGE-WELL is supporting this important project to identify strategies to enhance digital literacy. It’s part of our commitment to making technology accessible to more older Canadians to improve independence and quality of life.”
The ‘Access to Tech’ digital literacy study is supported by AGE-WELL, Best Buy Canada, Connected Canadians, Bruyère Health Research Institute, Carleton University, SAM3 AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub, University of Ottawa, and the City of Ottawa.
AGE-WELL’s contribution is made possible by funding through the Strategic Science Fund (SSF), jointly administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Health Canada, and through matching funds from private and public sector partners.
The research project will conclude with its recommendations in winter 2026.