Older people, as an important, heterogeneous population group with different needs, educational and learning experiences, have the right to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become media literate and information literate in their own way, at their own pace, and according to their own goals.
The ageing of our societies is one of the 'megatrends' of the 21st century, having a major impact not only on the lives of older people, but also bringing opportunities and challenges for all. Today, almost 20% of the population is over 65; in 2070, that figure will be 30%. How do we organise our societies, based on respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, so that everyone can live and grow old without discrimination? Starting from these questions, we try to find out how a second megatrend - the digital transformation - influences processes and challenges and how we can respond to it. How can digitalisation support active and healthy ageing, improve the quality of life, help to give back independence to older persons to ensure their full participation in society and change the paradigm from "vulnerable older persons" into "valuable seniors". In confronting the megatrends of ageing and digitalisation, Media & Information Literacy (MIL) competences play a key role. We focus on these aspects.
Executive summary Overview of abbreviations Introduction Digital equity for all
The COVID-19 pandemic: a catalyst for the digital transformation of societies
Vulnerable groups and digital divides
From normative framework into implementation
World-wide attention to ageing societies
The challenge to cope with an ever-changing society
Digital Equity for all: a common global perspective
Media and Information Literacy: the key to participate in the digital era
Older persons’ use of the internet
Older persons: not a target group for media literacy projects
Time to act
Older persons’ learning: engaging into ‘a new world’, without forgetting one’s life history
How to foster media literacy education
From the simple use of digital devices to the active and creative use of media content as a citizen
Freedom of expression and MIL - Building blocks for democracy
Gerontoludics: all about joyful ‘learning by playing’
How to cope with misinformation and ‘fake news’
Propaganda and disinformation: powerful weapons in wartime
Misinformation affecting our daily behaviour
Age-friendly media literacy education; the OdigO-project in Lapland (Finland)
Finland at the top of international rankings
Project OdigO: Osaavia aikuisten ja ikääntyvien digitaitojen ohjaajia Lappiin
Looking AheadBibliography
