The Urgency of Digital Equity for Older Adults

Across the globe, we’re witnessing a profound demographic shift: the older adult population is not only growing but also becoming more diverse in age, culture, and lifestyle. With such a shift comes an opportunity to innovate in ways that support older individuals’ quality of life. However, this same rapid pace of innovation can also risk leaving them behind if we fail to address “digital ageism”—the tendency for technology to overlook or exclude older adults in its design and functionality.

Professor Hussein, representing the MENARAH Network, has collaborated with Aspen Digital in developing the Older Adults & Digital Equity Playbook to give a voice to older adults, especially those in the MENA region. This initiative sheds light on ways organizations can actively reduce bias and foster inclusion in technology, which becomes increasingly vital as technology integrates deeper into all aspects of life, from healthcare to social connections.

Digital Ageism: A Global Challenge

One of the report’s key concerns is “digital ageism,” a form of exclusion where technology is primarily designed around younger populations, leading to experiences that can feel inaccessible or irrelevant to older adults. For instance, algorithmic models trained on limited datasets often fail to reflect the diversity and complexity of older populations, leaving gaps in service for those who need it most.

From an international perspective, this issue is particularly urgent. In the MENA region, where populations are also ageing and diverse, the gap between older adults and digital solutions can be even more pronounced. Professor Hussein and the MENARAH Network have long been advocates for bringing an inclusive lens to technology, emphasizing that when we leave behind older adults, we lose valuable insights and experiences from a vital segment of society.