Older people
The trend of population ageing in contemporary societies determines the need to consider older adults’ heterogeneous nature and experiences (Amaral & Daniel, 2018). The first challenge is to define the age range of the ‘older adults’. The World Health Organization defines that older people’s age groups should be conceptualised according to their socio-cultural and economic-political characteristics. In the European Union, it is acknowledged that older citizens are people over 65, according to retirement standards. The United Nations argues that old adults are all people over 60 years old. In Africa, and considering the countries’ socioeconomic diversity, it is consensual to define old adults as people over 50. However, ageing is not restricted to old age, as it describes the ageing process at any stage of life (Fernández–Ballesteros, 2003). Read more.
Media Literacy Key concepts
Media literacy is the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages they’re sending. According to the European Union, it involves the capacity of accessing, critically understanding and engaging with the different media available. Read more.
A test with 10 questions to determine digital skills and attitudes towards news disseminated in online environments.
Video of a keynote from Päivi Rasi, Associate Professor at University of Lapland, on media literacy for older people.
Article about digital literacy and its importance for older persons, focused on India's case.
Article focused on the results of a study that found that particularly older internet users were responsible for sharing fake news online.
News about the results of an Erasmus Project that aims to develop elders' digital literacy competences.
Article by Deena Newaz, manager of the Learners’ Voice Program, about tools to teach and empower seniors.
Documentary-project about digital literacy and elders, and the ways Internet is instrumental in keeping active lives.
Media and digital literacy for eldrs, focused on spotting misinformation online.
Academic article based on a project aimed at developing a digital study module focused on older people’s media education.
Article about the findings of a research focused on blended workshops as a supporting tool for older adults' digital literacy.
Online Civic Engagement
UNICEF defines civic engagement as “individual or collective actions in which people participate to improve the well-being of communities or society in general”. It is a fundamental process to democracy, through which people take action, in a collective manner, to address issues of public concern. Read more.
Flowchart with suggestions and tips about hot to react on social media
European project on eHealth and Aging in Rural Areas: Transforming Everyday Life, Digital Competences, and Technology.
Infographic about the uses and presence of elders on the internet
Booklet about the use of new technology, in the programme "65 plus", promoted by Zagreb's library.
Practical handbook from the Ageing Together European program on the Use of Computers and Internet for Elderly People.
Participants learn to search on the internet, send emails, use social networks and communicate with people around the world.
News article about a project that aims to increase the possibility for maintaining and concluding social contacts of the elderly.
How the COVID-19 pandemic and governments' measures affect the older persons' rights.
Getting Started KIT that supports older people to keep in touch with their loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic.
European Council Conclusions regarding human rights, participation and well-being of older persons in the era of digitalisation, in face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results of a cross-cultural research project carried out with the aim of providing empirical evidence for the concept of 'technology generations'.
Resilience to disinformation and fake news
Today, citizens are highly exposed to large scale disinformation, including false and misleading information, assuming different expressions and conceptualization. As the European Commission states, it is one of Europe’s major challenges. Read more.
Flowchart Factchecking checklist with 10 questions to help analyse news and separate fiction from reality.
EAEA views on disinformation, fake news and the importance of digital skills education during the pandemic.
Academic article that explores the generational differences in the fake news consumption.
Article about older adults’ engagement with fake news.
European Parliament news about ways and the importance to tackle Covid-19 myths.