Marija Petrović | 6 Sep 2026

Being connected to the internet does not automatically mean feeling included in digital life. A person may own a smartphone and use messaging applications while remaining uncertain about an unfamiliar notification, an online payment or a request to update their details.

Digital inclusion therefore involves more than access to devices. It also depends on opportunities to learn, ask questions and receive explanations without feeling judged.

Questions reveal what matters

During the opening Hungarian ODYSSEY workshop, questions about fraud developed into a discussion about targeted advertising on Facebook. Participants were interested in how companies could draw conclusions about personal circumstances from shopping habits.

The exchange illustrated how closely digital safety is connected to understanding the systems people encounter every day. A question about an advertisement can open a conversation about personal data, online behaviour and the difference between a familiar-looking message and a trustworthy source.

For educational organisations, these questions provide a useful starting point. Learning becomes more relevant when it responds to an experience that someone recognises.

Support that respects independence

A helpful learning environment gives people time to explore an issue and understand the reasoning behind a response. Simply taking over a device may resolve an immediate difficulty while leaving the person unsure what to do next time.

The ODYSSEY methodology encourages accessible communication, practical examples and attention to different learning needs. Its resources can support professionals, volunteers and community organisations working with older adults.

This approach connects with ICRP’s interest in participation and social inclusion. Digital services increasingly shape access to information, relationships and everyday opportunities. Helping people understand those services supports their ability to participate on their own terms.

Sometimes the most useful beginning is a setting in which someone feels comfortable saying: “I do not understand this. Can we look at it together?”

The blog entry is part of the “ODYSSEY – Your Financial Security” project, financed by the European Commission.