Technology is part of our daily lives, which is why Best Buy Health Canada created Best Buy Digital Citizen—a free online platform to support individuals who want to build their digital skills and get the most out of their tech. From lessons about how to make video calls to learning the benefits of smart assistants, Best Buy Digital Citizen can benefit new technology users with a large catalogue of courses.

Accessible courses designed for new technology users

Anyone who is new to technology or looking to brush up on their digital skills can benefit from Best Buy Digital Citizen. This could be older adults, or anyone who is looking to dip their toes into the world of tech but are not quite sure where to start. The program has been designed in a way that is accessible for everyone. This is done by eliminating tech jargon, providing clear and concise step-by-step instructions, and introducing topics that individuals may not be familiar with so that everyone can easily follow the courses.

Building your digital skills with Best Buy Digital Citizen

Whether you are looking for help with completing a task using your device such as sending emails or want to gain more knowledge about the digital world, Best Buy Digital Citizen can support you wherever you are in your learning journey. The program features two types of courses: Digital Skills and How-To Guides.

The Digital Skills Courses include lessons that cover general topics. For example, maybe you have heard your friends or family members talk about smart assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google. This topic might be new to you, and you would like to learn more. This is what Digital Skills courses can support you with. They are introductory courses that will provide you with an overview look at different technology, along with its benefits. Below are a few examples of Digital Skills Courses available:

  • Staying safe online: This is a course everyone should take. The online safety digital skills course will take you through best practices when it comes to staying safe online and teach you how you can protect yourself against online scams.
  • Introduction to social media: One of the ways people stay connected to one another is through social media. Social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok allow you to post photos and videos and send direct messages to others. But if you have never used any of these apps before, you may want to see what they are all about. The Introduction to social media course discusses what social media is, what the benefits are, and introduces you to what social media apps are available. This is so that you can decide which one is best for you if you ever want to try one.
  • Introduction to smart assistants: This course discusses all things smart assistants. From what it is, its benefits, to devices for your home that have built-in smart assistants. If you want to learn more about how smart assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri can support you in your daily life, check out this course.

Take advantage of the features that your device has to offer

Technology has made life easier in many ways. It provides benefits such as convenience, efficiency, instant communication, and more access to educational content and entertainment. But the only way to take advantage of these benefits is to understand what you can do with your device and how to do it. Often times individuals are gifted a device or purchase them on their own but may not be given or may not have access to the resources to learn how to use them. This is where Best Buy Digital Citizen’s How-To Guides come in. The How-To section on the website is a catalogue of lessons that provide learners with step-by-step instructions on how to complete different tasks using their device. Whether you own an Apple device, an Android device, or a smart home product there are lessons for you. Let’s look at some examples of How-To guides that are currently available:

  • How to send emails from a smartphone or tablet: Sending emails from your device is a very efficient way to communicate because it allows you to send and reply to emails instantly. The how-to for sending emails will take you through each step on composing, sending, and replying to emails right from your iPad, iPhone, Android tablet or Android smartphone.
  • How to make video calls: As mentioned earlier, technology allows us to connect with the people around us. Whether you want to chat with your friend, your family members, or have a virtual appointment with a healthcare professional, you can stay connected through video calling. The guides on how to make video calls will take you through the steps so you can’t start making video calls from your smartphone, tablet, or smart display.
  • How to take photos using your device: One of the great features of a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet is that you can take photos and store them on your device. The How to take Photos lesson will guide you through the steps on how to use the camera app that is built-in to your device so that you can start capturing everyday moments.

These are just a few examples of what is available on Best Buy Digital Citizen with much, much more to explore. New courses and lessons are added monthly along with updated versions to ensure you are provided with the most up-to-date information on your devices.

Best Buy Healthy Homes supported by Best Buy Digital Citizen

Another program of Best Buy Health Canada is Best Buy Healthy Homes. This is a program designed to provide you with life solution bundles that support your health and well-being. To provide a full experience beyond purchasing a bundle, Best Buy Digital Citizen offers specific lessons on products that are included in the bundles to ensure anyone who needs support with their new technology has a resource accessible to them.

Share Best Buy Digital Citizen with your loved ones

If you are the person your family members or friends come to for tech support, Best Buy Digital Citizen is a great resource for you to share. Maybe there is someone in your life who is new to technology and wants to learn more on their own. This is exactly what the website is for—to support you and your loved ones as they begin to navigate the world of technology and all it has to offer. By sharing Best Buy Digital Citizen, you can empower your loved ones to learn more about their tech while giving them the confidence to use it.

Rachel Sturm
I am a Learning Specialist for Best Buy Health, living in Toronto. I ensure my writing is inclusive of everyone from all walks of life. In my spare time, I’ll often be reading a book, cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs, or golfing.