Cyber-Seniors teams up with TELUS WISE to connect generations using technology

For Immediate Release:

March 22, 2016


Cyber-Seniors teams up with TELUS WISE to connect generations using technology


TORONTO
Cyber-Seniors: Connecting Generations is collaborating with TELUS WISE to bridge today’s digital divide by providing 30 schools, libraries and community organizations across Canada with educational screening packages of the documentary film Cyber-Seniors. Cyber-Seniors is a humorous and heart-warming documentary which chronicles the extraordinary journey of a group of colorful senior citizens and their equally engaging teenage mentors as they discover the world of the Internet.

 

Through this partnership, Cyber-Seniors and TELUS WISE will encourage Canadian youth and seniors to work together as they become more immersed in the world of technology and mobile connectedness. Each screening package includes a two-year public performance license, educational resources, community tech training labs, and tech-related prizes for new club sign-ups. In addition, each screening will be accompanied by TELUS WISE seminars, focused on Internet and smartphone safety.

 

Together, Cyber-Seniors and TELUS WISE aims to encourage a dialogue around digital literacy between different generations while helping break down barriers senior citizens face in adapting to new technology through youth mentoring opportunities. By calling on the younger generation to take action in their communities through volunteerism and service, we can help people 50 years of age and over who are just learning to navigate today’s technological advances online.

 

“Cyber-Seniors is honoured to partner with TELUS, a leading telecommunications company committed to keeping families safe online, to enable more Canadians the opportunity to watch the film and inspire young Canadians to get involved with a Cyber-Seniors club within their community,” said Tess Finlay, communications and program director for Cyber-Seniors. “This documentary is one way to engage Canadians of all ages in an important discussion about how we can reduce the isolation our seniors face and connect them with family, friends and the rest of the world through the Internet.”

 

“At TELUS, we know how powerful the Internet is as a tool to connect Canadians in meaningful ways. The Cyber-Seniors documentary illuminates the role young Canadians can play in welcoming older generations to our digital society,” said Shelly Smith, director, TELUS WISE. “Our partnership with Cyber-Seniors is a wonderful example of TELUS’ commitment to connecting Canadian youth with seniors to help create a safe and thoughtful online world.”

 

Go to www.cyberseniorsdocumentary.com to find out how you can get involved.

 

 

About Cyber-Seniors
The Cyber-Seniors program was started by two sisters, Kascha and Macaulee Cassaday, as a high school community service project and has since inspired a world-wide social impact campaign.

The Cyber-Seniors documentary film was produced by The Best Part Inc and directed by Saffron Cassaday. Praise for the film has been universal. “If there’s a film that will make you want to finally accept that friend request from your grandparents, this one is it,” said Katherine Vu in The Village Voice. The Christian Science Monitor’s Peter Rainer said, “Forget Facebook friends. The friendships forged in this movie, which come alive before our eyes, are the real deal.”
CYBER-SENIORS” isn’t just a window on an unlikely alliance of polar generations but also a celebration of discovery,” said Doris Toumarkine of Film Journal International.

For more information on the Cyber-Seniors: Connecting Generations campaign, visit: www.cyberseniorsdocumentary.com

@cyberseniors

Facebook.com/CyberSeniorsDocumentary

 

 

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Media Contacts

Tess Finlay, Cyber-Seniors
tess@cyber-seniors.ca
(416) 710-5075