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Overcoming Digital Barriers: Exploring Challenges and Implications of Digital Literacy Across Generations

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The advance of technology has experienced exponential growth in recent years, bringing with it, significant changes that have influenced various aspects of society, including the way we communicate, work and access information. Although technology is designed to generate benefits and these advances have greatly benefited human beings, they have also generated new challenges for populations where adapting to the constant changes tends to represent a difficulty, especially in older adults. Considering the profound impact of technological advancements on society, especially concerning digital literacy among older adults and individuals facing technology challenges, there is a pressing need for tailored interventions to enhance digital skills. This imperative arises from the evident struggles many faces in adapting to rapid technological changes, underscoring the urgency of bridging the digital divide for broader inclusivity and engagement in contemporary digital society.

One day while working at Granite Credit Union I met Michael, a former Granite Credit Union member who lost his job after 18 years due to budget cuts. Despite his extensive experience, he was having trouble with technology when applying for a new job. With the help of a bank employee studying computer science, Michael navigated the job application process and highlighted the challenges seniors face in adapting to new technologies.Today, like Michael, there are many people who have struggled with today's technologies and not only when looking for work, but also in their daily lives. It is very noticeable to see the impact that technology is making in many areas such as finance, communication, health, work and even shopping in stores, although these changes are designed to make our lives much simpler and more enjoyable, it may be creating difficulties for those less tech savvy.The reliance on technology in the digital age is a fact of life for our daily lives, to perform tasks where digital skills or computer literacy were not previously considered and the various problems this creates for older adults mostly without extensive computer experience.When it comes to learning how to use digital technologies in a way that fosters segments of the population with fewer digital skills digital independence and participation, generation and age need to be taken into account as they intersect in the contemporary older population, "as people experience the effects of physical or cognitive aging without being able to identify with the latest digital fads," stated Annia Vercuyssen in her article published in September 2023. As a result, many older adults have lost confidence in their ability to learn and, as we will see below, this leads them to stop using technology. Even those adults with work experience in ICT are often not up to date with recent technological developments. New technologies such as social networks, computers, accessibility to platforms and in recent years the development of artificial intelligence have drastically influenced the technological advances we live today, making it difficult to keep up with the latest technology even for younger populations, making it a challenge in cultures or societies where technology is constantly changing.


As for technology, it is evident the real impact it has generated in recent years, according to sources from the Bureau of Labor Statistics; Emsi; 2022, Utah was among the top 8 states with the greatest technological economic impact as a percentage of the state's total economy in 2022.
And that's not counting the exponential growth Utah has experienced both technologically and socioeconomically in 2023 and 2024. And new developments from major companies in the U.S. in late 2023 and 2024 such as the boom in artificial intelligences by Google, Meta, OpenAI and Apple.Similarly, technology has also embraced the workplace, with exponential growth in the digital skills required by employers, regardless of the position or area where you want to work. In a survey of more than 1,000 job seekers in the United States, which presented three options, very important, somewhat important and not so important, in 2022 and 2023, 92 percent and 86 percent, respectively, stated the importance of digital competence to the job search. Despite the decline, these data are a clear indication of the need for job seekers to have digital competencies.These skills can be difficult for an older adult. In her article on LinkedIn, an employment platform, Lisa Marsh Ryerson discusses how Rebecca, who for a long time worked part-time, decided to look for a full-time job and relates Rebecca's experience and the difficulty of finding a job "many older adults struggle to find work, despite one of the hottest job markets in decades." In December 2021, more than one million workers over the age of 55 were still out of work and more than forty-one percent of them remained unemployed for 27 weeks or more, placing them in the category of "Long-Term Unemployed."


"Digital and technology skills training can help older adults gain a foothold in the labor market. The fundamental digital skills that many of us take for granted - such as turning on a computer, using a mouse, or accessing the Internet - and slightly more advanced digital skills, such as the ability to write an email or search for specific information on the Internet, are increasingly critical to career success at all levels." (Lisa Marsh Ryerson,2022).
Telecommuting has become a trend in recent years, especially post-pandemic: 84% say they plan to expand telecommuting after the pandemic. Be prepared for remote work. Therefore, the ability to collaborate and communicate in a virtual environment through technology and digitization is becoming more of a requirement than an option. The lack of digital skills can also generate a mismatch between the skills of the individual for the role where he wants to apply, and the skills that recruiters can see, thus generating that recruiters do not consider applicants more than qualified for the role, solely because of their digital skills.

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For this reason, it is more than clear that there is a need for community inclusion of seniors when it comes to digitization and new technologies. In the article How Are Senior Citizens Capable to Cope with the World of Digital Natives? by Hely Westerholm and Pirjo Takanen-Körperich, it is concluded that seniors must speak the same language. "They rely on community services and resources. At the same time, these same adults contribute to the well-being of the community through volunteering, caregiving, civic engagement and intergenerational.
activities." (Merriam and Kee, 2023). The studies in the latter article demonstrated the importance of personal development as a digital user moves through life stages using lifelong learning. And despite limitations, the individual can be considered an independent digital user at his or her age.

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Citations & References

Vercruyssen, Anina, et al. “How ‘Basic’ Is Basic Digital Literacy for Older Adults? Insights from Digital Skills Instructors.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 24 Aug. 2023, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2023.1231701/full.

Borgeaud, Alexandra. “Tech Economic Impact in the US by State 2022.” Statista, 19 Apr. 2023,
www.statista.com/statistics/1301507/tech-economic-impact-in-the-us-by-state/.

Sherif, Ahmed. “Digital Competency Importance U.S. 2022-2023.” Statista, 3 Aug. 2023, www.statista.com/statistics/1332199/digital-competency-importance-worldwide/.

Ryerson, Lisa Marsh. “Getting Older Adults the Digital Skills and Training They Need to Succeed in Today’s Workplace.” LinkedIn, 9 Mar. 2022, www.linkedin.com/pulse/getting-older-adults-digital-skills-training-need-lisa-marsh-ryerson/.

Leeuwen, Cora van, et al. “Catching the Digital Train on Time: Older Adults, Continuity, and Digital Inclusion – Doaj.” Social Inclusion, Cogitatio, 1 Sept. 2023, doaj.org/article/4353d05d84db436f9ee4dca20ff260e0.

Westerholm, Hely, and Pirjo Takanen-Körperich. “How Are Senior Citizens Capable to Cope with the World of Digital Natives?.” International Journal for Business Education, International Society for Business Education.Illinoisstate.edu, 31 May 2023, eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1392613.

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BUT... WHAT CAN WE DO?

Carnegie Library:
https://www.carnegielibrary.org/tips-for-helping-someone-learn-to-use-technology/

Overcoming Digital Barriers: Empowering seniors and underserved segments of the population in a technology-centric society.

In today's technology landscape, the rapidly evolving digital divide among older adults has become a pressing issue that demands immediate attention and tailored interventions. As technology continues to change various aspects of our lives, from communication and work to access to essential services, many older adults, and not only older adults, but also some people across generations, are having difficulty adapting to and navigating this technological and digital evolution. This is not merely a matter of convenience, but a critical challenge that affects their quality of life and economic opportunities.The target audiences for this project include political bodies, community leaders and organizations focused on the aging population. However, it is necessary to include everyone in our society to contribute to a practical and effective solution.
Technology has undoubtedly generated numerous benefits to society. However, it has also brought with it significant challenges, especially for older adults who may have many difficulties in the digital skills needed to fully participate in this digital age. As Lisa Marsh Ryerson highlights in her LinkedIn article, the increasing demand for digital skills in the job market further exacerbates the difficulties faced by older adults seeking employment. Many are marginalized or undervalued solely because of their limited digital skills, despite their valuable experience and skills.

Photo by London Premiere Centre(LPC):
https://www.lpcentre.com/articles/digital-transformation-in-the-public-sector-opportunities-and-challenges

It is crucial to implement community-driven initiatives that prioritize digital literacy training and support systems tailored to the unique needs of older adults and other digitally challenged individuals, thereby reducing the digital divide over time and generating greater inclusion in our current digital and technological society.

Why a change is needed?

1. The skill and ability to navigate digital platforms is increasingly essential for job seekers of all ages. By improving digital skills among less digitally literate segments of the population, we can generate new economic opportunities and reduce unemployment rates within our demographics.2. Social inclusion: Access to technology has facilitated social connections in recent years, allowing, for example, older adults to participate in community activities, access healthcare services and stay connected to loved ones, thereby mitigating social isolation and promoting well-being.3. Investing in digital literacy programs can enable older adults to actively contribute to their communities through volunteering, caregiving, and civic engagement, as Westerholm and Takanen-Körperich highlight.

The Digital Literacy Programme for Seniors and the Essential Digital Skills/Literacy Evaluation Framework:
https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/digital-literacy--scaled.jpg

While some might suggest that digital literacy programs for older adults can become costly and resource-intensive, the long-term benefits of these programs, including increased labor participation and improved well-being of the population, far outweigh the initial investment. Not to mention the uninvested help from everyone, whether it is teaching our grandparents, friends or acquaintances to use new technologies, such as smartphones, digital platforms like Google, Youtube or GPT Chat or simply being patient with this sector of the population in our daily lives, work, school, etc.In conclusion, putting into context the digital divide among older adults is not only a feeling of inclusion, but also an economic and social necessity. By investing in tailored interventions and community-driven initiatives, we can empower older adults to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and participate fully in our evolving society.Through my project, I aim to generate practical steps to increase digital literacy and champion opportunities for seniors in a technology-centric world.

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