When James Audcent noticed his grandmother was being left out of family milestones and daily moments shared on social media, he decided to build a solution – not just for her, but for millions of older Australians feeling increasingly disconnected from digital life.
Mr Audcent, a computer science graduate, created PigeonTales — a personalised, printed newspaper that uses AI to curate family social media content and deliver it straight to the doorsteps of older relatives who aren’t online. His goal is to bridge the widening digital divide that’s leaving seniors feeling invisible. View a sample edition here.
“If you’re not on Facebook or WhatsApp, you’re effectively invisible. Photos, family news, updates and even conversations – it all lives online now. And if you’re not online, you’re missing out.”
James Audcent
Together with co-founder Steven Hodgskin, Mr Audcent is now competing in the Tech Innovate Challenge, a Brightwater Care Group initiative that seeks tech-based solutions to help older Australians stay socially connected as the aged care system increasingly shifts toward home care.
Brightwater CEO Dr Catherine Stoddart said the challenge addresses more than just healthcare – it aims to fight loneliness and promote meaningful connection.
“The challenge is no longer just about delivering clinical care – it’s about how we prevent loneliness and ensure that independence doesn’t come at the cost of isolation.”
Dr Catherine Stoddart
Dr Stoddart highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that some clients may only see a cleaner or nurse once a week. “We need human-centred solutions that adapt to where older adults are – not the other way around.”
Between 2013 and 2023, the number of older Australians accessing home care surged by 357%, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. As the aged care system evolves, the risk of social isolation grows.
That’s where PigeonTales hopes to make a difference. Rather than expecting older people to learn new apps, it brings digital content to them in a familiar, accessible format – print. “We often talk about ‘digital inclusion’ as teaching seniors to use tech,” said Mr Audcent.
Dr Stoddart agrees, calling for more intuitive, respectful solutions that strengthen intergenerational bonds and make connections natural, not burdensome.
“This is younger people solving older generations’ problems,” she said. “And that’s exactly why it’s so exciting. They may find they benefit from these initiatives in the future too.”
The Tech Innovate Challenge, held in partnership with Venture UWA, concludes at the end of May when two winning teams will be awarded $10,000 each, funded through a grant from Meshpoints.
