Many seniors want to stay connected and not fall behind as new technologies evolve. They seek to learn, verify information online, and use the Internet safely. In Alicante, the National Police and Orange joined forces to help people over 65 close the digital gap between generations and use their mobile devices securely.
“I’ve always said we’re born prematurely.” Mari Luz, 86, has become proficient enough with modern technology to participate in one of Orange’s workshops in Alicante as part of the program called Elders Are Connected. The program teaches people over 65 the basics of using a mobile phone and how to do so safely. “You’re always learning something,” says Mari Luz. The AlertCops app lets users request help directly from state security forces.
From a free workshop held at the Orange store on Avenida de Maisonnave, Mari Luz and her colleagues learned about the app only yesterday, and after hearing from the National Police, they immediately downloaded the related mobile application.
The Great Security Plan
For about an hour, a police officer from the National Police’s Citizen Engagement Mission in Alicante explained the recommendations of the “Great Security Plan” to help people avoid becoming victims or inadvertently committing crimes online. The aim is to prevent harm from pushing a single button. The conference on security with your mobile, organized by the National Police and Orange, took place to honor International Information Security Day.
Attendees at the Orange conference downloaded the AlertCops app to ask the police for help. THIN
The officer emphasized that Internet use and social networks can be beneficial but must be approached with caution. The Internet is like a car—used without awareness, it can lead to trouble, he warned.
One key message was to distrust calls from unknown numbers. The most common online crime is fraud, with many anonymous messages aiming to access personal data to open bank accounts in someone else’s name.
Secure passwords
Participants were urged to use strong, unique passwords, update software on every device, and install antivirus programs. These tips are part of the ongoing effort to bridge the digital divide for Alicante residents taking part in the program.
Speech by Police at the Orange store on Avenida Maisonnave in Alicante. THIN
This creative workshop occurs at Orange every two weeks. The seniors who attend are mobile phone users who often have limited knowledge or have changed devices and want to understand the benefits of new smartphones. A director of the program described this as a practical, dynamic, and enjoyable training format.
These workshops are free and offered in person to anyone who wants to participate, whether they are an Orange customer or not. The initiative makes learning about technology engaging, accessible, and practical, complementing Orange’s broader Connected Seniors program in other stores.
Doubts
The police explain that the goal is to instruct, accompany, and answer questions about using mobile phones and technology in general. The curriculum covers the basics (how to access a calendar or send messages) and more advanced tasks such as managing medical appointments online, handling tax office communications, or sending digital money to grandchildren for birthdays.
Orange has already conducted 400 workshops that reached more than 2,000 people in its stores across Spain. Patricia Acosta, head of Sustainability and Digital Equity at Orange, notes that these results motivate continued efforts to help seniors overcome gaps created by a shortage of local, in-person services. To register, interested participants can search for the session closest to their home in the program’s schedule (Citation: Orange Spain program).