Improving the Digital Literacy and Social Participation of Older Adults: An Inclusive Platform that Fosters Intergenerational Learning

Yusuf Farag, Gopichand Narra, Dharini Balasubramaniam, Kenneth Boyd

2024

Abstract

In an increasingly digitalised world, many older adults face the choice of improving their digital skills or risking social isolation and exclusion from essential services. With older adults expected to represent 16% of the global population by 2050, there is a renewed urgency to improve their digital literacy. Although many in-person and online technology training initiatives exist, they are often not accessible or poorly optimised for older adults. Younger adults, who typically form older adults’ support network, may be key to any solution. However, their help typically serves as a temporary fix until a new issue arises, leading to a cycle of dependency. This pilot study offers insights into the technology experiences of older adults, the ways in which younger individuals assist them, and how both groups stay connected. We conducted small-scale but in-depth user studies with older adults, and an online survey of younger adults, to understand how the technology support process could be improved to promote older adult autonomy and active ageing. Based on our findings, we propose an age-friendly platform that leverages intergenerational exchanges for a personalised learning experience that brings together younger and older adults. The final prototype was well received by participants in the user study. However, further exploration of other aspects of their lives and cultural differences in intergenerational learning, and larger studies of younger and older individuals are needed to co-create a solution that helps bridge the global digital divide while enabling older adults to have more fulfilling lives.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Farag Y., Narra G., Balasubramaniam D. and Boyd K. (2024). Improving the Digital Literacy and Social Participation of Older Adults: An Inclusive Platform that Fosters Intergenerational Learning. In Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: ICT4AWE; ISBN 978-989-758-700-9, SciTePress, pages 47-58. DOI: 10.5220/0012623400003699

in Bibtex Style

@conference{ict4awe24,
author={Yusuf Farag and Gopichand Narra and Dharini Balasubramaniam and Kenneth Boyd},
title={Improving the Digital Literacy and Social Participation of Older Adults: An Inclusive Platform that Fosters Intergenerational Learning},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: ICT4AWE},
year={2024},
pages={47-58},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0012623400003699},
isbn={978-989-758-700-9},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: ICT4AWE
TI - Improving the Digital Literacy and Social Participation of Older Adults: An Inclusive Platform that Fosters Intergenerational Learning
SN - 978-989-758-700-9
AU - Farag Y.
AU - Narra G.
AU - Balasubramaniam D.
AU - Boyd K.
PY - 2024
SP - 47
EP - 58
DO - 10.5220/0012623400003699
PB - SciTePress