When summarising the main project achievements, we should refer to the addressees of project results. 1st group are elders (55+) who can gain new competencies on critical thinking, scientific thinking and copi ng successfully with overwhelming digital communication. The second group are people working with the elders on a daily basis and also encounter problems related to the dynamic digital changes and the growing popularity of digital media. It includes: local animators, employees (teachers and an administrative staff) of Universities of Third Age or initiative groups working with mature people, libraries, trainers working with adults, social workers. Our project bridges the digital divide of older people by: (1) sustaining active citizenship by avoiding risk of marginalization of groups affected by knowledge divide in digital society. Negative outcomes of a “grey” digital divide are: limited use of on-line public services, social and civil exclusion. It prevents elders from accessing important information and services related to science and technology that can offer benefits for autonomy and well-being. (2) improving elders’ media communication competences with a focus on ability to critically evaluate media and its use.
Europe has the highest proportion of seniors, where 18% of the population is over the age of 65. Older people are often at risk of digital exclusion and digital divide, which prevents elders from accessing important societal information and community services related to science and technology that can offer benefits for autonomy, well-being, and social participation (Quan-Haase et al., 2018; Siren & Knudsen 2017). Social media are becoming more and more important, but at the same time they are a place of disinformation and misinformation. Fake news spreads freely and quickly, additionally there are controlled campaigns on the Internet - trolls or bots spread false information, manipulating the recipients. The FakeNews&Elders project promotes social inclusion of elders as people with fewer opportunities, often digitally and educationally excluded. The specific nature of this target group exposes them to age discrimination and can cause deepening of exclusion. The project helps overcome barriers faced by elders in everyday life. Barriers stem from a lack of awareness of how the modern digital world works, including social media, an inability to distinguish false information, succumbing to manipulation, and believing in post-truth.