Digital knowledge gap can be an inter-generational bridge, study shows

 

This article is part of our special report Golden years: Opportunities for Europe’s ageing population.

The current digital gap between young and elderly people can offer an opportunity to enable more significant interactions and inter-generational cohesion, according to a recently published study.

Attempts to fill the inter-generational knowledge gap due to more familiarity with the technology of youngsters can create closer connections between the younger and older generations, the study based on a survey of 12,850 European citizens suggests.

Roughly 40% of the surveyed in the older generation would most like to learn new technology and digital media skills from younger people.

Conversely, a similar amount of younger respondents seem keen to share knowledge of digital technology with the older, with the peak percentage reached in Spain (48%), Ireland (44%), and Italy (43%). (...)