Belvedere teenager scoops award for encouraging people online

Teenager Eugene Agyeman, of Chapman Road, helped more than 20 technophobes conquer their fear of the internet and computers last year.

Initially establishing contacts through family and friends, Eugene has travelled as far as Thamesmead and Sidcup to encourage the older generation online.

His work was recognised last month when his mum nominated him for the ‘BT Internet Rangers of the Year’ scheme, seeing him win a brand-new laptop and £100 of computer vouchers.

Eugene, a student at St Columba's Boys School in Bexleyheath, said: “It’s a great experience for me to be helping other adults to get online, especially when they use the internet to benefit themselves.

“The bridge between adults and the internet is way too far apart and with the evolution of technology into daily lives, I think the bridge needs to be closed very quickly.”

The youngster, who began helping relatives with their computers when he was nine-years-old, already has big aspirations for his computer support service.

He is formulating plans to one day lease a unit in one of the borough's shopping centres and establish a permanent area where he can offer dedicated computer training.

Mavis Mensah, of Sutherland Avenue in Belvedere, is one of many Eugene has helped.

The 45-year-old said: “Most of the time when my computer goes wrong and I don’t know what to do, it’s him I call - he knows more about computers than any of my children.

“He’s great on the internet because when I don’t know where to search for things he knows straight away.

“I’m really pleased he won the award, he deserves it.”

BT community investment manager Simon Paul said: “We hope these younger people can continue to develop the IT skills of others in their communities - we know it makes a valuable difference.”

The ‘BT Internet Rangers’ scheme was set up following research which found nearly a third of parents and grandparents were taught how to get online by people aged under 16.