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Youth guides the way
The old joke about finding a 12-year-old to programme the video recorder contained much truth in jest, and now teens are teaching 'old dogs' new internet tricks, with incredible results.
The community of Ness in the north of the Isle of Lewes has long been home to a local Estate Ranger, responsible for looking after the beautiful landscape and on occasion guiding visitors.
Recently, the community has gained another Ranger, whose skills lie in the virtual landscape of the Internet rather than the rugged terrain of the Hebrides.
John Soutar, 15 years of age, was named BT's Internet Ranger for 2008 for his success in using his technology knowledge not only to help his mother set up her new business, but also to teach other members of the community how to get the best out of the online world.
Internet necessities
Since the age of 11, when he first built a website for his mother's holiday cottage, John has been applying and sharing his technology know-how. This included teaching his mother how to use the internet to advertise and run the holiday cottages business.
John says: "There's so much more for me to learn but it's fantastic to see how sharing the knowledge I have gathered has had a positive impact on my family and local community."
Subsequently John then helped others in the local community improve their internet skills, offering his expertise to teach both adults and children about the online world at an innovative local IT project, for which he has also spent time building the website.
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