The digital divide is a growing problem in Europe, where many people are excluded from the digital society due to a lack of access or digital skills. According to a European Commission study, around 44% of Europeans aged 16-74 lack the basic digital skills to use a computer and access the Internet. This is of particular concern for older people, who often face additional barriers such as social isolation and loss of autonomy. It is in this context that the Silver Books project was launched. The project is a collaboration between four European organisations – Les Apprimeurs, Desincoop, Logopsycom, and Consorzio Solco Città Aperta – which seek to address the growing needs of isolated and vulnerable older people. The project aims to use digital tools to foster inclusion and social connection by providing easy access to written and oral culture. In this article, we will explore in more detail the Silver Books project and its innovative approach to addressing the challenges posed by the digital divide among older people. Finally, we will discuss the importance of the Silver Books project in the wider context of promoting social inclusion and connection in Europe.
Digital divide studies: understanding the challenges of digital inclusion
WetechCare is a French association whose mission is to promote digital inclusion and fight against the digital divide. The association works with public and private partners to develop innovative projects to help people in vulnerable situations acquire the digital skills they need to participate fully in society. WetechCare also conducts studies and research on digital inclusion, focusing on the specific needs of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and people in precarious situations. The results of these studies are used to inform the design of projects and initiatives to promote digital inclusion.
WetechCare conducted a study on seniors and the digital transition. This study showed that computer literacy workshops that focus on online administrative procedures are not effective in helping seniors adapt to the digital world. Indeed, the digital transition is often difficult for older people because they have to acquire new skills and a new language to master digital tools. Moreover, the dehumanisation of online services disrupts the habits of a population that often feels excluded from society. The WetechCare study therefore highlights the importance of taking into account the specific needs of seniors when promoting digital inclusion. Induction workshops should be designed to help seniors acquire practical skills while providing emotional and social support to ease their transition to the digital world. The Silver Books project is part of this approach, using digital tools to promote inclusion and social connection among isolated or vulnerable older people.
Les Petits Frères des Pauvres is a French association created in 1946 whose mission is to fight against the isolation of the elderly and to offer them moral and material support. The association works with volunteers to organise home visits, cultural outings, and social activities for isolated elderly people. In 2018, Les Petits Frères des Pauvres published a study on digital exclusion among the elderly in France. This study revealed that more than a quarter of people aged 60 and over are still in a situation of digital exclusion and that this exclusion particularly affects the over-80s and the most precarious people. The results of this study have been used to inform the design of projects such as the Silver Books project, which aims to use digital tools to promote inclusion and social connection among isolated or vulnerable older people.
In our research, we took into account the results of these two important studies on digital exclusion among older people: the study conducted by Les Petits Frères des Pauvres in 2018 and the study by WetechCare on the digital transition of seniors. These studies have been used to inform our approach and recommendations for promoting digital inclusion among older people. Building on this research, we sought to design innovative projects that address the specific needs of isolated or vulnerable older people, using digital tools to foster social connection and inclusion.
Silver Books’ initiatives to bridge the digital divide among older people
The Silver Books project is a joint initiative of four organisations, Desincoop, Les Apprimeurs, Logopsycom, and Consorzio Solco Città Aperta, aiming to promote inclusion and social connection through digital tools.
Silver Books are interactive digital books for elderly people who are isolated or in a vulnerable situation. They are designed to be accessible to everyone, including people with reading or digital difficulties. The books contain short stories, poems, songs, and other cultural content that can be read aloud or listened to. The Silver Books project aims to meet a growing need for support for older people who are isolated or in vulnerable situations. Using digital tools, the project seeks to foster inclusion and social connection by providing easy access to written and oral culture. By providing easy access to written and oral culture, Silver Books enable isolated or vulnerable older people to feel connected to their community and to participate in the cultural life of their region.
In conclusion, the Silver Books project aims to develop digital tools that promote inclusion and social connection among isolated or vulnerable older people. The project aims to use digital tools to promote reading aloud and oral culture, by creating rich digital books that can be shared easily with others. By focusing on the use of technology to foster social and cultural inclusion, the Silver Books project offers an inspiring example of how organisations can use digital tools to meet the specific needs of older people.