Teaching IT Use to Elderly: A Media Literacy Solution

Sakhaei, Sahand; Soroori Sarabi, Atefeh; Alinouri, Sepideh

doi:10.22059/jcss.2024.101608

Teaching IT Use to Elderly: A Media Literacy Solution

Document Type : Original article

Authors

Sahand Sakhaei ¹

Atefeh Soroori Sarabi ²

Sepideh Alinouri ³

¹ Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Payam-e Noor University, Bostan Abad, Iran

² Department of Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.

³ Department of English Translation, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jcss.2024.101608

Abstract

The increasing digitalization of society has amplified the digital divide, particularly affecting the elderly population. As life expectancy rises globally, integrating older adults into the digital world is essential to promoting social inclusion, reducing isolation, and enhancing personal independence. This article investigates the potential of media literacy as a solution to improve IT skills among elderly individuals. Media literacy encompasses not only the technical ability to use digital tools but also the critical skills necessary to work with and evaluate digital information responsibly. The study examines barriers such as limited prior exposure to technology, cognitive decline, and socio-economic constraints, which hinder older adults’ ability to acquire IT competencies. It also explores successful interventions, including community-driven workshops, adaptive learning programs, and intergenerational training models designed to meet seniors' unique learning needs. Findings suggest that media literacy-based IT training enhances both digital proficiency and social participation among older learners. The article concludes with practical policy recommendations aimed at integrating media literacy into national education programs targeting the elderly. Future research should focus on cross-cultural evaluations of media literacy initiatives and long-term impacts on seniors' quality of life in an increasingly digital world.

Keywords

digital inclusion

elderly education

IT skills development

lifelong learning

media literacy

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