Half of the elderly do not always feel safe online

On October 8, Digital Resilience Day, older adults can visit 24 locations in the Netherlands with questions about the internet, apps, and online safety. And that is no unnecessary luxury. New research by KPN shows that half (49%) of people over 60 do not always feel safe online. Furthermore, four out of ten (40%) people over 60 are unsure whether they can distinguish a suspicious message from a trustworthy one. Among people under 30, on the other hand, 81 percent are reasonably or very certain of this. That is why KPN is organizing walk-in sessions together with SeniorWeb. Visitors can drop by for free and without an appointment to ask questions about phishing, safe internet use, strong passwords, and account security.

The walk-in session takes place on October 8 at a selection of KPN Experience Stores, KPN XL stores, and SeniorWeb locations . People can also drop by on other Thursdays in October. People of all ages are welcome at the walk-in sessions.

Staying online independently
The internet plays an important role in daily life, from banking to staying in touch with family and friends. At the same time, online scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Due to the use of AI, phishing messages appear more trustworthy, making them harder to recognize. In 2025, as many as 17 percent of Dutch people aged 15 and older were victims of an online crime or incident. That amounts to approximately 2.5 million people. Online scams and fraud were the most common, reports Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

KPN's research shows that one in three (36%) people over 60 have experienced online fraud or an attempted scam in the past twelve months. In 64 percent of cases, this involved phishing. Consequently, older people are twice as likely to need help with digital matters as younger people: 30 percent of those over 60 compared to 16 percent of people under 30. The walk-in sessions offered by KPN and SeniorWeb provide ample opportunity for this.

Practical help with online questions
Visitors can come by with concrete situations: a suspicious email or message, an unexpected payment request, or a question about account security. Volunteers not only resolve the issue but also explain what visitors can look out for themselves, so that they can proceed independently next time.

" Digital services should make daily life easier, not more complicated. That is why, together with SeniorWeb, we offer accessible help to people who have questions or are struggling with something. Everyone is welcome. In this way, we ensure that more people can manage their digital affairs safely and independently. Because especially in a society that is becoming increasingly digitized, it is important that everyone can continue to participate ," says Marieke Snoep, Head of the Consumer Market and member of the Executive Board of KPN.

Practical information
The walk-in sessions will take place on October 8 at 24 KPN and SeniorWeb locations spread throughout the Netherlands. Additionally, walk-in sessions are being organized for the rest of the month on Thursday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00.

Participation is free and registration is not required. An overview of all participating locations and opening hours can be found on the KPN website .

Would you prefer to receive advice online? Then watch the webinar 'Smarter than the Scammer', in which experts from KPN, the police, and SeniorWeb explain how online scams work, how to recognize fraud, and what you can do if you do not trust a message. [ more info here ]

Throughout the entire month of October, Cybersecurity Month, KPN is organizing various activities to help people of all generations be better protected on the internet .