Technology without barriers: an intergenerational alliance to empower older adults in the face of the digital challenge in Huila

Abstract

The digital divide in Colombia critically affects adults and the elderly, especially in regions such as Huila. In its capital Neiva, only 45% of this population has access to basic technologies, compared to 75% in capitals such as Bogota or Medellin. According to DANE (2022) and MINTIC (2022), less than 20% of those over 60 years of age in the department handle elementary digital skills, which limits their access to essential services, online banking, digital health or government procedures, which deepens their socioeconomic exclusion.

This is how the University Corporation of Huila (CORHUILA), through its Systems Engineering program, which combines the extension of knowledge, social responsibility with the comprehensive training of students in partnership with the Bank of the Republic of Neiva seeks to reduce this gap through a Technology Immersion program aimed at older adults, where student volunteers perform extramural practices. The methodology focuses on participatory workshops that seek a basic immersion in the handling of mobile devices, allowing the strengthening of useful advanced skills and safe navigation. Each session prioritizes simplicity, autonomy and prevention of digital risks such as fraud, adapting to the daily needs of the participants.

This initiative allows the academy to integrate with society, the students not only apply technical knowledge, but also the knowledge of how to use mobile devices.

Finally, this article seeks to strengthen gerontological digital literacy and promote more inter-institutional alliances to mitigate technological exclusion that violates fundamental rights in a digitalized world, in order to contribute so that technology becomes a bridge, not a barrier to the development of this population.