Support someone else
We’ve created a range of resources to help you introduce someone else to the internet for the first time.
We’ve put together some tips and tricks to help you get started.
Use their hobbies and interests to motivate them
The person you’re sitting with will be more motivated to learn how to use their device if you show them how it will have a positive effect on their everyday life.
Does the person like gardening? Show them a gardening website. Cooking? Show them some cooking tutorials on YouTube. Relating skills back to real life examples will also help motivate people to learn more.
Be patient
Patience is key when showing someone anything new for the first time, and using a device and the internet is no different. People learn in different ways and at different speeds. Some will pick it up straight away while others like to go over things a few times to make sure they’ve got it right. Appreciating this and congratulating them on little milestones will help keep people on track and their confidence increasing.
Don’t expect too much too quickly
If someone’s never used a device or the internet before, they won’t become confident using it on their own straight away. As with any new skill, it takes time to develop the knowledge needed to feel good about using the internet. Managing their expectations will help prevent them from feeling like they’re not understanding it quick enough or that it’s too much to learn.
Be aware of tools to help you help them
There are lots of resources and tools on the internet to help people get to grips with their device and the internet. Have a look around and see what you can find to help them broaden their knowledge and increase their confidence.
Top Tip: The free ‘How to be a Digital Champion’ course on our free online learning platform Learn My Way will tell you everything you need to know about becoming a Digital Champion, including how you can inspire people to ‘give it a go’ and learn new things.
By completing this course you will gain the confidence and knowledge to be able to support your local community to go online. It will provide you with the skills to support people on a one to one basis or help small groups. You’ll also come away with ideas and tips on how to help them use the internet.
Not sure where to start?
Take a look at our free guides designed to help you support others.
Embedding digital inclusion into the existing offer at your organisation
Good Things Foundation has worked closely with our network partners to create a range of remote support resources to help organisations deliver digital skills support online.
This includes guides, tips, courses, documents, advice and other useful resources to use when teaching people digital skills when you can not be in the same room together.