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Silver Surfer Awards

The Rt. Hon. Stephen Timms MP,  Former Minister of State for Competitiveness
House of Commons, London,  15 October 2007

I would like to bid all of you a very warm welcome to the House of Commons. Congratulations to all of you – it’s a privilege for me to be here again to present these prestigious awards.

Let me just also pay tribute to Digital Unite, BT and Ofcom who have done so much to make the Silver Surfer campaign such a success. And I know that Emma has some exciting plans for the future!

People often talk about the problem of digital exclusion – of some people being left behind by technological progress. And, of course, its not hard to see how that could happen. But what you are proving today is the opposite. You are showing how we can use the latest technology to overcome common problems – problems like losing touch with friends and relatives, not being able to get out so easily, just getting lonely and isolated. You are showing how to use technology to overcome them. Your stories are very important success stories – and I hope that many others will be inspired by them.

You are all shining examples of how – irrespective of age – the Internet can change people’s lives for the better. And I want many more people to overcome – as you all have – the barriers which too often prevent people from making the most of the opportunities that superb new technology opens up for us.

Everyone who is here today has been determined to “have a go”. You are not prepared – quite rightly – to be left out. You have shown that technology need not be intimidating or frightening, just because it is new. Through the Silver Surfer campaign, you have broken through what too often seems an impenetrable barrier.

You have shown how new technology can enrich people’s lives. You have created new networks of new friends, taken on new roles and enriched your communities in a whole host of ways. I have been very impressed to see that happening through the work of Digital Unite in the community I represent in East London, and I am delighted that it is happening on a larger and larger scale.

The theme for these awards, part of the sixth annual Silver Surfer of the Year Campaign, is communal and intergenerational learning, and we have some great examples in this room.

When reading the winners’ background notes, I was struck by just how many say now they really look forward to using computers. Too many people see new technology as an annoyance, as intimidating, as something which gets in the way, that has no place in their lives, for which they can see no use. I hope many will hear of the experiences of the people in this room and come to enjoy more of the benefits of technology, as you all have, for themselves.

The Communications Market report published by our excellent regulator, Ofcom, shows that age remains one of the most significant factors influencing people’s opinion of, and use of, digital communications.

So I am particularly impressed with the concept of BT’s Internet rangers. Nearly a third of parents and grandparents have been taught to use the Internet, or encouraged to use it, by a young person between the ages of 13 and 16. The scheme rewards outstanding and inspiring young people who have helped older people to benefit from online resources by teaching them and acting as mentors.

It is a simple and obvious good idea, but the best ideas often are simple, and this one is a great idea.

So it is a particular pleasure to congratulate this year’s winner, thirteen year old Joseph Devries from Port Talbot. I was impressed not only by his contribution to developing SilverSurfer sessions at his school but by the effect he had on his “pupils”.

I was reading what one of his pupils, if I can call her that, Mary Scott, said:

“Learning about the internet from Joseph has been a delightful process”, she said, “and not nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be. Joseph has a lot of patience and a great sense of humour, giving us all the chance to learn while sharing an interactive activity with young people.”

Well done to Joseph! And it’s a very good reminder of what wonderful young people are contributing to their communities up and down the country.

Communities have an important part to play, and schools need to be at the heart of their community. You couldn’t wish to see a more enlightened vision than the one being pursued by Broadgreen High School in Liverpool. Their SilverSurfing community is made up of staff plus students, some of whom are in their 80s. It is now moving to its second generation of users, with the first generation now passing on its wisdom and learning.

So congratulations to you all. Thank you for your generosity to others. What you have achieved is a wonderful reminder of how we should all be making the most of technology, and I wish you all great success in the future too.