How Media Literacy is Reconnecting Our Elders

How Media Literacy is Reconnecting Our Elders
By Aurra Kawanzaruwa

We often talk about the "digital divide" in terms of hardware—who has broadband and who doesn't. But as someone deeply invested in how technology shapes our society, I’ve come to see a more insidious divide: the emotional and social chasm created by misinformation. This is particularly acute for older populations, where the isolation of aging can be compounded by a digital world that feels increasingly hostile and confusing.

For years, the prevailing narrative has been one of vulnerability, we need to "protect" our elders from online scams and fake news. While well-intentioned, this framing can be disempowering. Recently, however, I’ve been energized by a shift in approach, one that views media literacy not as a protective shield, but as a bridge for community building.

A standout example of this is the recent collaboration between NewsGuard and various UK community organizations, funded by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS). This program, focused on building resilience to misinformation in older populations, offers a profound case study in how digital skills can foster civic resilience and social connection.

The Challenge: Isolation in the Algorithm

The sad reality is that bad actors prey on isolation. When an older adult is lone scrolling through a news feed, encountering frightening headlines or too-good-to-be-true health claims without a sounding board, they are vulnerable.

Research has long established a link between digital literacy and broader well-being in later life. A recent study noted in PubMed Central highlights that digital proficiency isn't just about sending emails; it is critical for older adults' ability to utilize community-based services and engage in "active aging." When seniors feel locked out of the digital town square, they aren't just missing news; they are missing community.

The Case Study: NewsGuard’s Community Approach

The brilliance of the NewsGuard project lay in its setting. Instead of asking seniors to attend sterile lectures at unfamiliar institutions, they brought media literacy into existing social hubs, like local Age UK centers.

The program didn't just teach participants how to use NewsGuard’s browser extension to see trust ratings for news sites. It facilitated hands-on workshops that encouraged "lateral reading" the act of leaving a website to verify its claims elsewhere.

Crucially, according to NewsGuard’s report on the project, these workshops evolved into something much warmer than a technical seminar. They sparked "Digital Inclusion Meet-ups." These became spaces where seniors could openly discuss the ethics of AI-generated content, share their own embarrassing encounters with online hoaxes without fear of judgment, and collectively navigate complex political information.

In my analysis, this is the turning point. The moment media literacy moved from a solo activity performed anxiously behind a screen to a shared social practice in a community center, the dynamic changed. It transformed the shame of being fooled into the collective power of being informed.

From Vulnerability to Civic Resilience

Observing the outcomes of models like this, I am struck by how intergenerational and community-based approaches dismantle ageist stereotypes. We see this in programs like "Cyber-Seniors," which uses mentoring to bridge the generational gap, fostering reciprocity where both youth and seniors learn from each other (EAVI, 2023).

The NewsGuard case study proves that when we provide older adults with the right tools within a supportive environment, they become fiercely capable digital citizens. They aren't just "staying safe"; they are actively participating in democracy and reclaiming their space in the public discourse.

Ultimately, this case study taught me that the most effective antidote to misinformation isn't just a fact-checking algorithm; it’s human connection. By embedding media literacy into the fabric of existing communities, we don't just build smarter readers. We build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.

MediaEd Insights - January 2026 - Building a Community

Opening Essay: Being Villagers Together by Catherine Morris 

Review: Will AI Shape Our Communities? by Vasavi Sai Nunna

Research Brief: Building Inclusive Global Alliances by Yonty Friesem 

Case Study: How Media Literacy is Reconnecting Our Elders by Aurra Kawanzaruwa

References

• EAVI (2023). Media Literacy Tools for Senior Citizens. European Association for Viewers Interests.

• NewsGuard (2024). Media Literacy - Older Populations: Building resilience to online misinformation. UK DCMS Media Literacy Programme Fund.

• PubMed Central (2025). The impact of digital literacy on older adults' utilization of community-based services. PMC12522777.