Rio Grande Valley News, UTRGV News, Education, Community Events
Staff Report
Edinburg TX - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Social Work will host a two-day conference aimed at helping older adults and caregivers better navigate the digital world while protecting themselves from online fraud and scams.
The conference, titled “Staying Safe, Smart and Well Online: Empowering Older Adults in the Digital Age,” is scheduled for March 24–25, 2026. Organizers say the event will focus on improving digital literacy, increasing awareness of online risks and strengthening community partnerships that support older adults.
The conference is organized by Dr. Minzhi Ye, assistant professor in the School of Social Work, with support from Dean Dr. Luis Raul Torres-Hostos.
Growing concern over online fraud
According to the Federal Trade Commission, millions of Americans lost money to fraud in 2024, with older adults representing a significant portion of victims. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that scammers often target older adults due to their trusting nature and limited familiarity with rapidly evolving technology.
Conference organizers said the event is intended to provide practical tools and resources to help older adults safely engage in the digital environment.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and confident online,” Ye said. “Together, we can empower our older adults to stay connected, protected and thriving in a digital world.”
Expert speakers and topics
Participants will hear from experts representing organizations including the Better Business Bureau, WellMed Charitable Foundation and AARP. Over the two-day conference, speakers will address topics such as protecting personal information, identifying online threats, accessing digital resources and building support systems to promote safe technology use.
Organizers also hope the conference will encourage intergenerational learning and collaboration between caregivers, professionals and community members working to improve digital inclusion for older adults.
Future plans
This marks the first time UTRGV has hosted a conference dedicated specifically to digital safety and older adults. Ye said she hopes the event will become a recurring program to continue supporting the needs of the aging population in the Rio Grande Valley.
Registration information
Those interested in attending can register online. Additional information is available by contacting Dr. Minzhi Ye at minzhi.ye@utrgv.edu.
Source: UTRGV School of Social Work