Facilitator support
Volunteers, facilitators, or community groups supporting older adults can access Get Set Up For Safety printed resources and further information.
Older people
Welcome to our digital safety hub for older people and seniors. Whether you're using technology for work, fun, or staying connected with loved ones, staying safe online is possible if you’re armed with the right information. We bring you a range of tips, advice, and resources whether you’re protecting your personal information, setting up a social media account, or trying to recognise online scams. Our guides are designed to help you to navigate the digital world with confidence.
Get Set Up for Safety
Supported by Chorus, Netsafe has created a range of handy Get Set Up for Safety resources, designed with older adults in mind. You may already be following best-practice, which is great! It’s always worth brushing up on digital safety and security, to give you peace of mind when online.
Below you will find a range of short easy-to-read fact sheets, longer in-depth booklets, videos, and interactive activities on key online safety topics. You can view these online, download them, print them out or share them with others.
Resources: Digital safety basics
Make the most of your digital devices safely, with these resources covering the basics of accessibility, app installation, device security, and common technology terms you might come across.
Click the resource name to open it.
What is two factor-authentication — video(https://youtu.be/DCzLUGklYts)Accessibility — Fact sheet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/24ba0c932f9b8ad340f4e690c932af1e2e1e8e4f.pdf)Artificial intelligence (AI) awareness — Fact sheet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/f54d76afee938a8fca8beb9fc0504cc309fb846c.pdf)Secure your devices — Fact sheet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/fba124fc7e07f3064be34ae7454ffa6b25d6b028.pdf)Scam safety and security — Checklist(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/a28c7b6ae150f92479fa23b0e6d021c4b17e5a15.pdf)Glossary — Booklet (https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/6e9ff9fd6ef8a6b15b2943fa05f3906444448f0c.pdf)Glossary — Booklet (te reo Māori)(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/6754bc3cab0dc474b0dd77c373105b9ab2b65a6b.pdf)Secure your devices — Booklet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/c7f927dffbc606b12fadf6b9c214a936af8ec14e.pdf)Secure your devices — Booklet (te reo Māori)(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/2ca41f0b1eaa146a9448826eb06a4c9b19e16ab5.pdf)User-friendly devices — Booklet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/72fdd2e9a943b4d51d5fc51c13789ec17b47391c.pdf)User-friendly devices — Booklet (te reo Māori)(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/a6e24645d361a8c8c5553d58b62dca1bf9c0165b.pdf)
Online safety at home
So that's an introduction to online safety basics and security. For more information, refer to our online safety at home hub.
Spot a scam
A scam is a made-up story to trick people out of money or steal their information. Learning red flags of a scam can help you prepare to recognise online scams so you can keep yourself and your loved ones safer online.
Resources: Scam prevention
Download fact sheets, checklists, and longer booklets to support you in learning to spot and respond to online scams.
Click the resource name to open it.
SCAM red flags — video(https://youtu.be/b1415ISbd8Y)Common scams — Fact sheet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/bb78ccc00ee50926f5716d116d8769cd061494f9.pdf)SOS Respond to a scam — Fact sheet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/b4d55e7d4e97fe8aacc5a5cc45c0837aac589c37.pdf)Spotting and protecting yourself from scams — Fact sheet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/39f2c5a60f3207af94cd045075d3bc10e26782b6.pdf)Scam safety and security — Checklist(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/a28c7b6ae150f92479fa23b0e6d021c4b17e5a15.pdf)Safer shopping, banking, and investing — Booklet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/de98a4a7b0596e0cc9336939b56c2d1c294d64ad.pdf)Safer shopping, banking, and investing — Booklet (te reo Māori)(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/86a160a46725911365cb6fe43f5d7be0d36a6a4b.pdf)Spot a scam — Booklet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/b10fc56fda1c1c1c1f730d6f5607e89dcff8dd17.pdf)Spot a scam — Booklet (te reo Māori)(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/6e81c3069bed0aab1eeadcd1f6a524584d24f772.pdf)Little Black Book of Scams — Booklet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/18597a720a89f38b3c0333e95d192dec77e05f05.pdf)
SCAMS online learning
Practice your scam-spotting skills with the Spot a SCAM practical online learning module, and explore common social media scam stories so you can recognise similar stories in your feed.
Start Microlearn
Start Microlearn
Start Microlearn
Start Microlearn
Quiz: Scam stories
Check your knowledge with this fun quiz that challenges you to pick the best response to various scam stories.
More about scams
So that's an introduction to spotting scams online. For more information about specific types of scams and how to recognise them, explore our online scams hub.
Resources: Social media safety
Download fact sheets, checklists, and longer booklets to support you in setting up social media accounts more safely.
Click the resource name to open it.
Five tips for safer social media — Video(https://youtu.be/FEXZpPAANEY)Practicing safer online habits — Fact sheet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/a3e6b05673bac16160e8d1e95b8fe4b6d98f64de.pdf)Online dating safety tips — Fact sheet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/37648ee74cd64bf768e41acfff542c08a322da4b.pdf)Staying connected — Booklet(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/4407f1a66d62d0b50809d73daa7e81e8204fcb5f.pdf)Staying connected — Booklet (te reo Māori)(https://cdn.sanity.io/files/8y8wsx0z/production/e916e8126ad1eec1d49f7197c5ebc555d3a1b6d4.pdf)
More about social media safety
So that's an introduction to safety on social media. For more detailed information about each social media platform, and how to change settings there, refer to our social media safety hub.
Featured advice
Recommended
Secure your home Wi-Fi
Securing your home Wi-Fi network is essential to protect your data, maintain privacy and ensure that unauthorised users cannot access your internet connection.
HDCA helpline
Under the Harmful Digital Communications Act (HDCA) Netsafe assesses and investigates complaints about harm caused to individuals by digital communications.
Facilitators guide to Get Set Up for Safety
Explore supporting materials and advice for group leaders running digital safety sessions with the Get Set Up for Safety resource suite.
Related resources
Online safety at home(/online-safety-at-home)
Our homes are more connected than ever. From apps, Wi-Fi and VPNs to streaming, device security or online shopping - we've got the advice you need.
Shopping online safely(/online-safety-at-home/shopping-online-safely)
Shop online safely and smartly with our tips and advice.
Apps: using them safely(/online-safety-at-home/apps-using-them-safely)
Apps, short for applications, are software-enabling tasks on computers, mobiles, tablets, or wearable devices. Find out how to use them safely with our useful advice.
Social media safety(/social-media-safety)
Whatever platform you prefer, we have the guides to take you through family safety settings, personal privacy, reporting, blocking and how Netsafe can help.
Safer online dating(/online-safety-at-home/online-dating)
Your comprehensive guide to safely navigating online dating, with tools to connect confidently and responsibly.
Sharenting(/parents-and-caregivers/sharenting)
Sharing your child’s milestones online is a quick and easy way to connect with friends and family. This is known as sharenting and might unknowingly expose your child to risk.
Scams(/scams)
Get information and advice on how to identify and avoid common scams and where to get help if you've been affected by a scammer.
Helpline services(/our-work/helpline-services)
Netsafe’s helpline team provides free, confidential advice and support to people in New Zealand who are facing online abuse, have been scammed, or have an online safety question.
Managing online screen time(/online-safety-at-home/managing-online-screen-time)
Advice to help work out how much screen time is appropriate considering screen-use and personal circumstances.
Contact us
You can contact Netsafe seven days a week for free, confidential and non-judgmental advice about an online issue impacting you or someone you know.
Our helpline is open weekdays from 8am til 8pm, and weekends & public holidays from 9am til 5pm.
Email us at [email protected](mailto:[email protected])Call us on 0508 638 723(tel:0508638723)Submit an online harm report(https://report.netsafe.org.nz/hc/en-au/requests/new)Text "Netsafe" to 4282(sms:4282?body=Netsafe)
Social media safety
Learn the basics of social media platforms and how to adjust privacy and security settings for safer online socialising.