**From Gesy to JCC Smart, Digital Kin Helps Less Confident Users**
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, a new platform developed by CYENS is stepping in to assist seniors and individuals living in rural or remote areas of Cyprus in navigating the world of smartphones and digital services. The initiative, named Digital Kin, aims to empower users by enhancing their digital skills, thereby promoting greater confidence, independence, and safety in an increasingly online society.
Led by Fotis Liarokapis from the Extended Experiences (EX) Research Group at the CYENS Centre of Excellence, Digital Kin was created in strategic collaboration with Cyta. This initiative is particularly timely, as the ability to effectively use smartphones is becoming essential for various aspects of everyday life, including communication with family, accessing healthcare services, making payments, and finding information online.
At the heart of Digital Kin is a user-friendly platform that transforms complex digital tasks into straightforward, practical instructions available in Greek. The platform encompasses six learning areas and features over 85 step-by-step guides tailored for both Android and iPhone users. All resources are provided free of charge, making digital education accessible to a wider audience.
The learning material covers a range of essential smartphone functions, including making calls, sending messages, taking photographs, installing applications, and managing common smartphone settings. By avoiding technical jargon, Digital Kin presents each task through concise visual sequences, allowing users to select their learning preferences and proceed at their own pace. Additionally, guides can be downloaded as PDFs, enabling users, their families, and caregivers to access the information offline, which is particularly beneficial for those who may not be comfortable navigating online environments.
Beyond basic smartphone usage, Digital Kin addresses more complex digital tasks that are becoming commonplace in Cyprus. The platform provides guidance on accessing the national health system's (Gesy) Beneficiary Portal, including steps for creating an account and logging in. It also offers instructions for using JCC Smart, which is designed to familiarize users with digital payment systems and online services.
The initiative comes at a time when public authorities, businesses, and service providers are increasingly shifting their operations online. While this digital transformation offers numerous advantages, Digital Kin emphasizes that the benefits can only be fully realized when citizens possess the necessary skills and confidence to utilize these services effectively. Digital inclusion, therefore, extends beyond mere connectivity and device access; it encompasses the knowledge and capabilities required for active participation in a digital society.
A significant aspect of Digital Kin is its focus on online safety. The platform's guides educate users on recognizing common signs of online scams, understanding what personal information should remain private, blocking unknown numbers, and responding appropriately when issues arise. Additionally, it includes resources on creating secure passwords and identifying fraudulent messages that may appear to originate from trusted organizations. For older adults developing digital skills, the combination of practical knowledge and cybersecurity awareness is crucial, as the initiative aims to not only increase technology usage but also to ensure that users can navigate the digital world independently and safely.
Digital Kin is part of a broader research and innovation effort by the CYENS Centre of Excellence and its Extended Experiences Research Group, which focuses on creating human-centered technologies with real-world applications. The collaboration with Cyta exemplifies how research and industry can converge to address pressing social needs through technological advancements.
As Cyprus continues its journey towards digital transformation, the success of initiatives like Digital Kin will hinge not only on the sophistication of emerging technologies and online services but also on the ability of individuals across society to engage with and benefit from these advancements.
Digital Kin is accessible at [digitalkin.cyens.org.cy](http://digitalkin.cyens.org.cy), and additional information about the Extended Experiences Research Group can be found through the CYENS Centre of Excellence.