The digital divide in Seniors
There is an opportunity to be seized now. Which? In which ways? Choose now to be the protagonist, as a Senior, in the History Is Us! project! Read on. I'll explain everything to you.
Now, first of all. In recent years, the topic of the digital divide has emerged as a central issue, particularly when it comes to the access and use of digital technologies by different segments of the population. While young generations easily master devices and applications, older people face significant obstacles. In this article, we will analyze the phenomenon of the digital divide affecting Seniors, with a specific focus on the Italian situation, thanks to data from Eurostat, Istat and an important study by Bocconi University.
What is digital divide
The concept of digital divide indicates the difference between individuals in access, skills and use of digital technologies.
This phenomenon manifests itself on various levels:
Access to infrastructure, such as Internet connection.
Digital literacy, i.e. the ability to use technological tools.
Effective use of digital resources, for example to access public or private services.
The senior population, often referred to as the Silver Generation, is among the most vulnerable to digital exclusion. The main causes are linked to less exposure to technology during working life, resistance towards the adoption of new tools and the lack of specific training opportunities.
The European state of the art according to Eurostat
According to a 2023 Eurostat survey, almost half (47%) of adults over 65 in the European Union have never used the internet. This statistic highlights a clear separation between those who access the digital world and those who remain excluded from it. While younger generations have rapidly increased their use of the Internet, growth is much slower among older adults.
The situation is particularly critical In Italy: only 33% of people over 65 regularly use internet. This places our country among those with the highest rate of digital exclusion in Europe.
Senior of Italy
At a national level, the 2022 Istat report paints an equally worrying picture. 68% of people over the age of 65 say they do not have basic digital skills necessary to use devices such as smartphones, computers or tablets.
Furthermore, a strong geographical disparity emerges:
• In Northern Italy, digital usage rates are slightly higher.
• In the South and on the islands, digital exclusion is significantly more pronounced.
• The center is in the center.
This situation has profound consequences, considering that access to essential services, such as digital healthcare or online banking, increasingly requires technological skills.
Bocconi University study
A recent study by Bocconi University in Milan (2023) analyzed the impact of digital training programs for seniors. The results highlight that those who participate in targeted courses obtain significant improvements, not only in the practical use of technology, but also in their confidence in it.
The study found that participants showed greater predisposition to use digital services such as:
• Home banking.
• Telemedicine.
• Access to online public services.
• Entertainment.
• Socialization.
However, one of the main obstacles is the lack of knowledge of the existence of these training programs. The research highlights the importance of:
• Continuous learning paths.
• Trainers specialized in working with the senior group.
Furthermore, the study highlighted that a personalized and patient approach during training sessions can significantly improve results, making participants more confident and motivated in using technologies.
The consequences of the digital divide and possible solutions
Digital exclusion is not just a technological issue but has social and practical implications. In fact, in a world increasingly oriented towards digitalisation:
• Seniors may be excluded from timely medical care offered through telemedicine.
• Online bureaucracy can become an insurmountable obstacle.
• The inability to access essential information, even by sharing it, can cause social isolation.
There are solutions to reduce this digital divide. They are:
• Investments in infrastructure such as broadband deployment in remote areas.
• Digital literacy courses specifically designed for the needs of the Senior population.
• Awareness raising to inform Seniors about learning opportunities.
• Partnership between institutions, companies and non-profit organizations to develop tailor-made initiatives.
A virtuous example is represented by digital laboratories, where elderly people can learn not only the basics of using technological devices, but also practical applications such as managing finances online, booking medical visits or communicating with distant family members via video calls.
History Is Us! project
On these bases History Is Us! is characterized as an authentic, current and authoritative initiative, which, between tradition and innovation, begins to bridge the digital divide by considering it an opportunity. Thanks to the collaboration between the non-profit association HUBITAPROJECT ETS and the Glafka company, based in Prague, the project offers specific training and awareness courses for the senior group.
The objective is to promote the active participation of Seniors, also in the digital society, improving their quality of life and reducing social isolation. Through dedicated courses the project aims to:
• Provide practical skills for using devices such as smartphones and tablets.
• Promote trust in the use of technologies.
• Stimulate interest in the digital world, making older people protagonists of change.
• Create video testimonials and share them online from an intergenerational perspective.
The project is not limited to the aseptic teaching of technical skills. It is a real experience of sharing both individually and in groups. Thus stimulating, increasingly over time, the creation of a support network involving volunteers, young tutors and families, to facilitate learning and promote true dialogue between generations. This collaborative approach is fundamental to overcome the barriers that often hinder the adoption of technological tools, starting with our Seniors.
To finish
The digital divide in Seniors is a complex but addressable challenge with targeted approaches. Data and research show that digital literacy is the key to overcoming technological barriers and fostering social inclusion.
Projects such as History Is Us! taking it a step further, represent a concrete example of how it is possible to turn an objective issue into an opportunity, with tangible benefits for individuals and the community. Obvious. A joint effort by governments, including at the local territorial level, academic institutions, businesses and civil society organizations, is sure to make an important contribution, with a view to well-being and prosperity.
It is important to understand that the future of the Silver Generation and beyond depends on the ability of all of us to build an inclusive digital society today. Investing in continuous training, raising awareness of the relevance of digital and creating accessible learning paths are all essential steps to guarantee a more equitable and participatory society, promoting inclusion, widely, starting from our territories.
In short, technology can be a truly useful tool for seizing new opportunities, as long as we use it functionally to our needs, not just individual ones. This is possible thanks to the project History Is Us!. It is about the Dignity of our Memory.
Now. If you also want more information, to participate as a protagonist in a training project, linked to digital technologies, for Seniors, in which your story is the very foundation of the activities, contact us immediately at the email address info@historyisus.eu.