As the world advances in high technology and technological innovation, a digital divide forms alongside and stretches greater and greater as everything starts going digital. This digital divide, or digital exclusion, refers to the barriers older generations face in accessing and understanding technology. Elderly people today can struggle with outdated technology and limited knowledge of new technological advancements. This is a huge problem, and letting it continue can lead to further division between older and younger generations in our society. To address this problem, Platt Library’s Teens Leading Change is hosting an initiative to provide technological information to the elderly.
We plan on holding multiple events and workshops specifically dedicated to solving this problem through our teen-led project "Wisdom Wired." One of the events we have planned aims to help the elderly develop skills to navigate the digital world by having our teen volunteers come in for two drop-in sessions to teach the most requested topics. Our volunteers have also prepared thorough and easy-to-read study guides containing instructions on how to utilize useful tools like Google Docs, social media apps, and IOS text/call/facetime. We will also be holding three events where experts will provide advice on using our personal devices more efficiently. By teaching the elderly in our community how to safely traverse the internet, we hope to build up their confidence so they can use their devices comfortably and take the first major step towards bringing our community closer together.
Shreya M. is a 14-year-old new member of Teens Leading Change. She’s a 9th grader who attends Faith Baptist Schools, and is interested in volunteering projects such as these. Shreya S. is a 17-year-old member of Teens Leading Change who attends El Camino Real Charter High School. They are a 12th-grader with a passion for volunteering on projects like these, designed to provide assistance, and have participated in three of Platt’s TLC projects.
—Written by Shreya M. and Shreya S.
Shreya M. is a volunteer at the Platt Branch and a 9th-grade student at Faith Baptist Schools.
Shreya S. is a volunteer at the Platt Branch and a 12th-grade student at El Camino Real Charter High School.
—Jennifer Ann Watson, Young Adult Librarian, Platt Branch
