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27/11/2025, Dublin – The holidays are kicking into high gear and with 64% of Irish consumers expected to participate in this year’s Black Friday sales* digital safety is vital to keeping your information safe and your holidays jolly.
Hi Digital, is a Vodafone Foundation partnership with the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) and ALONE that aims at teaching older adults’ digital skills to help them lead more independent lives in this digital age. This includes lessons on Online Banking, Shopping and Entertainment, and Identifying Scams and Frauds.
Older adults are often hesitant about shopping online due to the proliferation of fraud, fake businesses, and risk of being scammed when entering credit card information online.
One participant in an IGG Hi Digital session for older people, Olive told us she has avoided shopping online after an incident where her husband had recommended a website that reported great deals on outdoor gear, but after she made the purchase realised the website wasn’t legitimate and the package never came. However, after our Hi Digital session she said that “the tips have made her more comfortable, and the support helps her understand better”.
An Irish Girl Guides’ Senior Brancher from Moyne Templetuohy, Muireann, and her mom found themselves in a similar situation after ordering a cashmere sweater online, the sweater that arrived was not only polyester but also two sizes too small.
For many older adults, like Joan, who says she doesn’t like to shop online because she has “fears of putting in her banking information” there is uncertainty on what product will arrive and how safe their data will be. The Hi Digital Programme helps them understand how to keep their personal data safe and what to look out for when choosing to shop online.
Ainé from the Charleville IGG Senior Branch found the lessons in Hi Digital valuable for the older adults she worked with because they “really give you the full story on how it can be good and bad if you don’t know what you’re doing, and how to do it properly and safely”.
The Hi Digital lessons cover several important tips and reminders for shopping online, particularly:
- *Look at where the shop is located and their return policies to ensure an easy process for yourself.
- *Using online, independent review sites such as Trust Pilot to check a business before ordering.
- *Get recommendations from family and friends on websites they trust.
For more tips on staying safe online check out the lessons on hidigital.ie
Celia Melcus
Public Relations and Advocacy Officer
Irish Girl Guides
01-6683898
(086) 136-7824
pr@irishgirlguides.ie
Irish Girl Guides: Irish Girl Guides has 10,000 members across Ireland. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,400 volunteer Leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens.
Vodafone Foundation: Vodafone Foundation is the charitable arm of the Vodafone Company, and are using technology to help address some of the world’s most pressing problems; closing the digital skills gap, supporting those affected by domestic violence and abuse and protecting children online..
Hi Digital Drop-in in 52 Vodafone stores every Friday 10am to 1pm, in case older people want to drop in to check a text or link they have received. The full list of stores is on the Hi Digital website at Hi Digital Drop-In Vodafone Retail Stores – Google My Maps