BT Internet Ranger Awards

Today, BT has launched a nationwide hunt to find and reward young “Internet Rangers” who are teaching older generations the benefits of the internet and ICT, in the BT Internet Ranger of the Year Awards.

The awards, now in their third year, celebrate stories of outstanding young people. 

Last year’s awards received hundreds of entries, which demonstrated the inspirational work being carried out by young people all around the country.  The 2006 winner was 15 year old Inderjit Mehroke from Middlesex who was crowned BT Internet Ranger of the Year for her determination in teaching her mum, who was house bound due to a chronic illness, valuable internet skills which transformed her life.

Not having the skills to access the internet means that many people are missing out on important information, access to cheaper goods and services, employment opportunities, and ultimately social inclusion.  The government, industry and the third sector are working on ways to close the digital divide and Internet Rangers is part of BT’s commitment to promoting digital inclusion for all. 

Entry to the awards is via the BT Internet Rangers website www.btinternetrangers.co.uk, and can take the form of a short written submission, a podcast, or a photo movie which tells the story of the Internet Ranger and what they are doing to help others get online. Young people can enter themselves or be nominated by an adult.  There will be 10 runners up, who will each receive a top of the range laptop, and the overall winner will receive a laptop, and £250 of IT vouchers.  The deadline for entries is September 1, 2007.

Mike Hughes, head of BT’s digital inclusion campaign, said: “Young people receive a lot of criticism in the media, but this campaign gives credit where credit is due, highlighting the good work being done by BT Internet Rangers around the country.  Not having the skills or the confidence to use the internet is a serious social problem which affects around 35% of people in the UK , but this type of intergenerational learning is a simple and obvious solution, which empowers young people and provides older generations with valuable new skills.”

As well as rewarding young people, BT is also supporting Digital Unite, the UK organisation that champions digital inclusion and ICT literacy, in their quest to find and reward the UK’s most inspirational older internet users, in the 2007 Silver Surfer of the Year Awards.  These awards celebrate the achievements of older people who have embraced the internet for their own benefit and that of others. 

The awards are open to anyone over the age of 50 who wants to share their story and inspire other digitally excluded adults to improve their lives by going online. Entrants can either nominate themselves or be nominated by a friend or family member.  For more information and criteria for the Silver Surfer of the Year Awards please log onto: www.silversurfersday.org/awards.php.  The deadline is July 2007.