- [Marian] A lot of people used to say that they didn't need the internet because they'd gotten along perfectly fine without it.

But we're not hearing a lot of that anymore.

Everybody is aware of the internet.

- [Narrator 1] According to Pew Research Center, the number of adults 65 and older who use digital technology has grown exponentially since 2010.

And while a quarter of those in this age group still don't use the internet, it doesn't mean they don't want to.

- For older adults, the greatest need is access and opportunity and confidence.

- [Narrator 1] That's the goal of the Digital Inclusion Program at Nashville Public Library.

It's their aim to ensure older adults aren't being left behind.

- [Marian] They don't always have the opportunity to learn.

When we provide free digital literacy training, they don't have access to devices that suit their needs.

And mostly they also don't have access to internet at home, which has been extremely expensive until now.

- [Narrator 1] For individuals like Dollie Collins, taking part in the library's senior tech academy was a personal test of sorts.

- I wanted to know that I was capable at this point in my life of learning something new.

I wanted to know that I could be taught and I was excited to be taught and to learn these things.

- [Narrator 1] Thanks to Senior Tech Academy Dollie now has a tablet and internet connection and the knowledge to operate safely online.

- [Dollie] I have twin granddaughters who are in college.

They're in South Dakota now, and I have used it to connect with them to see what they're doing.

I go to telehealth to find out what meds I'm on, what my doctors had to say about my visit, and I learned some of the ins and outs of scamming, what to look for, what to avoid, and the class taught me about strong passwords, what was a good password.

Things that are really necessary and without a good teacher, you wouldn't know it.

- The internet has a lot to offer to all of us, to each one of us.

And just because you're an older adult, you shouldn't be afraid to take advantage of all that the internet has to offer you, things that can improve the quality of your life.

What we wanna do is equip you with what you need to enjoy the internet, learn from the internet, but you can do it in a safe way.

- [Narrator 2] Made possible by a grant from the West End Home Foundation Senior Trust Digital Initiative.