information literacy among the elderly€¦ · many existing media lessons are made for classroom...

Information Literacy

Among the ElderlyPresented by: Laura Stiles, MLIS

Round Rock ISD and

Austin Community College

“It’s funny how so many people

go around staring at their calculators.”

Edward A. Leonard, Ph.D.

Presented by: Laura Stiles, MLIS. August 2018.

Why is internet use

important for seniors?


Social Isolation and Loneliness

Nearly ⅓ of adults age over 65 who don’t live in a facility,

live alone.

Older women are twice as likely as older men to live alone.

The AARP states that the health effects of prolonged social isolation

are equivalent to smoking fifteen cigarettes per day.

https://www.pexels.com/search/lonely%20senior/https://ioaging.org/aging-in-america; https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2017/03/social-isolation-loneliness-negativity-affect-heald-for-seniors


https://ioaging.org/aging-in-america

“Studies show that people lacking social contacts

are more susceptible to diseases, to infarction,

stroke and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. At

the same time it is true that loneliness leads to

social isolation and to lack of exercising, which

itself delays healing processes and speeds up

aging.”

https://joininproject.wordpress.com/



*A 2014 Michigan State University study showed

that computer use among retirees reduces the

risk of depression by more than 30%.

*Elderly respondents in study by Educational

Gerentology stated that benefits of internet use

included a sense of connectedness, satisfaction,

utility, and positive learning experiences.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/22/seniors-internet-fights-depression/8009059; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248984005_Computer_Internet_and_E-

mail_Use_Among_Older_Adults_Benefits_and_Barriers [accessed Dec 09 2017].


https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/22/seniors-internet-fights-depression/8009059

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248984005_Computer_Internet_and_E-mail_Use_Among_Older_Adults_Benefits_and_Barriers

A 2-year study in Italy and the UK showed that the elderly

perform better cognitively and experience improved health

when trained in the use of social media, Skype and email.

Participants were given specially designed computer training

and were compared against a control group that did not

receive any training. Among those that used these tools, the

mental and physical capacity improved; without training, the

control group experienced a steady decline.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/anita-kamiel-rn-mps/older-people-social-media_b_9191178.html


Evidence shows that satisfying basic social needs

can improve overall health.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/anita-kamiel-rn-mps/older-people-social-media_b_9191178.htmlPresented by: Laura Stiles, MLIS. August 2018.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/anita-kamiel-rn-mps/older-people-social-media_b_9191178.htm

34% of Americans ages 65 + use social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter

*higher use among younger seniors, but 20% of those 75+ use

*more common among those who have at least some college experience

*more common among those with annual household income of $50,000+

Which seniors are using the internet?

Anderson, Monica and Andrew Perrin. Barriers to Adoption and Attitudes towards Technology. Rep. Pew Research, 17 May 2017.


How are seniors using the internet?

http://www.binarytattoo.com/the-new-senior-citizen-is-a-digital-citizen/


How are seniors using the internet?

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2014/04/11/why-senior-citizens-use-the-internet/


Barriers to internet use

Anderson, Monica and Andrew Perrin. Barriers to Adoption and Attitudes towards Technology. Rep. Pew Research, 17 May 2017. Web. 11 Nov. 2017.Presented by: Laura Stiles, MLIS. August 2018.


http://www.pewinternet.org/2017/05/17/tech-adoption-climbs-among-older-adults/pi_2017-05-17_older-americans-tech_0-03/Presented by: Laura Stiles, MLIS. August 2018.

A German study focused on the facial expressions and gesticulations of

elderly users in unexpected situations when using the internet found

*participants had “severe problems in solving the tasks on their own”

*many could not find any solution

Participants felt that they were putting out low levels of mental workload;

videography data showed an increased concentration of the participants

during the internet session.


Haesner, Marten, et al. “[Analysis of How Elderly Internet Users React to Unexpected Situations}.”

Zeitschrift Fur Gerontologie Und Geriatrie, vol. 48, doi:10.1007/s00391-014-0838-z.


Fitting into Existing Processes

● Many existing media lessons are made for classroom setting, targeted at school age students

● Many seniors significantly molded by years of social conditioning/media messaging; challenge

is to introduce media literacy not as a replacement for their processes but as an enhancement

tool

Unlearning Practiced Behaviors

● Challenge of unlearning socially conditioned norms about the role of news and information;

elderly face the challenge of not only learning media literacy tools but also unlearning what

they have practiced - trusting traditional print media


https://eavi.eu/media-literacy-tools-for-senior-citizens/


http://blog.aarp.org/2016/01/07/communities-benefit-from-digital-inclusion/


Per AARP Public Policy Institute:

*an estimated 70 million Americans lack the digital skills/confidence

to use the most useful applications

*30% of those not online say the internet is not relevant to their lives

*30% say the internet is too difficult to use


Feelings about internet use

58% of adults ages 65 and older say technology has had a

mostly positive impact on society.

Older Americans who use the internet tend to view technology

in a positive light and tend to incorporate digital technology into

their everyday lives.

Anderson, Monica and Andrew Perrin. Barriers to Adoption and Attitudes towards Technology. Rep. Pew Research, 17 May 2017. Web. 11 Nov. 2017.


http://tinyurl.com/y9lgjbcf

Scams Affecting the Elderly


http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2015/scams-and-frauds-to-avoid.html

According to a survey by True Link Financial,

older Americans are criminally defrauded of

$12.76 billion annually.


http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2016/08/senior_citizens_aren_t_dumb_for_falling_prey_to_cyberscams.html

According to the FBI, seniors are

specifically targeted online because:

They are most like to have a ‘nest egg’

They are most likely to own their own home

They are most likely to have excellent credit


http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2016/08/senior_citizens_aren_t_dumb_for_falling_prey_to_cyberscams.html

Also from the FBI:

“People who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s and

1950s were generally raised to be polite and

trusting. Con artists exploit these traits, knowing

that it is difficult or impossible for these

individuals to say ‘no’ or just hang up the

telephone. Con artists view the senior

population as uniquely vulnerable.”


https://mdsoar.org/bitstream/handle/11603/3801/UB_2016_Appelt_L.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

According to the Federal Trade Commission,

34% of fraud cases reported in 2014 happened

online, with original contact method happening

*by email in 40% of cases

*by internet/websites in 22% of cases


The Scams

Leads 2017 scams targeting

senior citizens.

Close to 2 million people

targeted, with as many as 200

victimized per week during the

scam's peak in 2016.

1,680 people reported to the

Senate Special Committee on

Aging that they were contacted

or fleeced by the scam in

2016.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/02/15/here-top-

scams-targeting-senior-citizens/97913682/

In 2015 the FTC charged four

national “cancer charities” with

defrauding consumers of $187

million.

A different ruse: in August

2015 a Miss Pennsylvania U.S.

International Pageant Winner

was arrested after allegedly

claiming she had cancer and

swindling tens of thousands of

dollars from sympathetic

supporters.

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2015/scams-and-

frauds-to-avoid.html

Presented by: Laura Stiles, MLIS. August

2018.

IRS Imposter Cancer Conniver


Using social media, scammers

from gather enough personal info

to use this to get the senior to

open up. The scammer will call,

address the senior as “Grandma”

and ask if they know who it is.

When the grandparent guesses

the name of a grandchild the

scammer most sounds like, the

scammer has established a fake

identity.

http://www.bankrate.com/retirement/8-costly-scams-that-target-

senior-citizens/

Prescription drugs sold online can

be counterfeit, making this scam

extremely dangerous, and

shoppers can be tricked into

purchasing items that won’t help

their medical conditions.

Another scam is to take the

payment and just not deliver the

medications.


senior-citizens/

Grandkid Needs Help! Prescription DrugsTargeting the Widow

Scammers contact the family and

demand money for a supposed

outstanding debt that the

deceased left behind.

Since May of 2017 EU widows

have been contacted by fake

clairvoyants to provide messages

from beyond; when the widow

demands service or a refund,

they are told they will be cursed.


senior-citizens/;http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/13/death-

notice-scam-warning-bereaved-people-targeted-turkish-fake/


http://www.bankrate.com/retirement/8-costly-scams-that-target-senior-citizens/

A new type of robocall — an

automated computer system

making tens of thousands of

calls to "build a list of humans

to target for theft," according to

the Financial Fraud Research

Center.

Just answering the phone

opens seniors up to other

phone-based scams.

Scam artists bombard with

hundreds of phone calls from

fake charities and lotteries. In

one case, thieves took small,

automatic withdrawals from a

personal checking account for

a year, stealing approx $2,000

in withdrawals that the victim’s

bank couldn't trace.



Silent Caller Dementia TargetThe Chip Card

Banks & credit card companies

are still in the process of issuing

"chip" cards; con artists

impersonate card issuers and

send emails requesting personal

and financial info, or ask that one

click on a malware-laced link

before being issued a new card.

The cons send emails that

convincingly use reputable logos

and color schemes.





Presented by: Laura Stiles, MLIS. August 2018..

http://fraudresearchcenter.org/




Pop-up browser windows

simulating virus-scanning

software will fool victims into

either downloading a fake

anti-virus program or an

actual virus that will open up

whatever information is on

the user’s computer to

scammers.

Through online job sites,

emails and social networking

sites, scammers recruit

innocent job seekers as

"mules" to unknowingly steal or

launder money. They work at

their computers, thinking with a

legitimate business, but in fact

they're moving stolen money

abroad and unwittingly

disguising its true origins.

Fake Anti-Virus Work from HomeFaith-Based Dating

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/anthony-cirillo/senior-scams_

b_11766650.html

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-06-2012/

scams-targeting-older-victims.html

OId scam, new twist:

According to the AARP,

scammers are now targeting

faith-based sites like

BigChurch, ChristianMingle,

JDate and others; often

people can’t believe

someone of their own faith is

a criminal.

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2015/scams-and-frauds-

to-avoid.html


https://www.huffingtonpost.com/anthony-cirillo/senior-scams_

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-06-2012/

https://bigchurch.com/

https://www.christianmingle.com/

https://www.jdate.com/

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2015/scams-and-frauds-

How to help a patron who has been scammed

*File a police report. Patron will need a copy of the report when the fraud is

reported to credit companies.

*Close any accounts affected by the scam. Call the banks, explain what

happened and file a fraud report if any transactions were charged to the account.

*File a complaint with the FTC. It helps with fraud investigations by collecting

complaints and sharing them with local police forces, credit companies and

other government agencies.

https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/smart-money/how-to-detect-senior-scams/


https://www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/submit-consumer-complaint-ftc


How to help a patron who has been scammed

*If the scam involved credit card charges, report the fraud to the

three major credit bureaus. It’s the only way to know the fraudulent activity

will be quickly reflected on the account.

*Report any identity theft to the FTC’s Identity Theft website. This includes

new accounts being opened in the senior’s name, charges to current accounts or

false medical services. The FTC offers comprehensive steps to take depending

on how the victim was affected.

https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/smart-money/how-to-detect-senior-scams/Presented by: Laura Stiles, MLIS. August 2018.

https://www.thebalance.com/who-are-the-three-major-credit-bureaus-960416

https://www.identitytheft.gov/

https://www.identitytheft.gov/Steps


Ways to help- general

Senior-Friendly Computers

Telekin / WOW!: simplified operating system, large screen, large keys on keyboard, built-in

security

http://laptopstudy.com/best-laptop-for-seniors/

Technology Assistance Products

SeeYouLink: paid service that provides above, but also allows remote access by approved users

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-t-miller/software-for-seniors_b_1852656.htmlPresented by: Laura Stiles, MLIS. August 2018.

Ways to help - libraries

American Library Association Outreach Resources for Services to Older Adults

provides toolkits and guidelines for serving this population

Institute of Museum and Library Science provides grants to

provide programming specifically for seniors, based on ongoing assessment of needs


Private sector companies that are helping the

elderly with info literacy

*Walgreens: early stages of connecting the elderly to their telehealth services provider, for

24/7 access to U.S. board certified doctors

*Airbnb: partnering with communities to research how to better serve

*Uber: pilot program offers tutorials in conjunction with free/discounted rides for senior

Aragones, Pete. "The Importance of Beginner Tech Fluency in Senior Citizens." New York Amsterdam News, vol. 107, no. 52, 22 Dec. 2016, p. 29. EBSCOhost,


HELPFUL RESOURCES

5 Tips to Identify Scam Emails: https://www.liquidweb.com/blog/5-tips-to-identify-dangerous-spam-emails/

Aging.gov: one-stop resource for families looking to allow seniors to live independent lives

National Council on Aging Tips to Avoid Money Scams https://www.ncoa.org/economic-security/money-

management/scams-security/protection-from-scams/

AARP: Interactive videos and webinars about online safety: https://aarptek.aarp.org/online-safety/

Connect Safely (non-profit): The Senior’s Guide to Online Safety

http://www.connectsafely.org/seniors/

Department of Homeland Security: Cyber Tips for Older Americans

https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Cybersecurity%20for%20Older%20Americans_0.pdf

Department of Homeland Security: Stop. Think. Connect. Older Americans Presentation

https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Older%20Americans%20Presentation.pdf


https://www.liquidweb.com/blog/5-tips-to-identify-dangerous-spam-emails/

https://www.ncoa.org/economic-security/money-management/scams-security/protection-from-scams/

https://aarptek.aarp.org/online-safety/

http://www.connectsafely.org/seniors//

https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Cybersecurity for Older Americans_0.pdf

https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Older Americans Presentation.pdf

“Many...are guilty of propagating unverified information, such as political gossip

or dubious health tips on social platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, with just

a tap of a button.

Worse, their social media ‘shares’ may not be addressed by those who

know better, leaving such posts to be consumed by those who don't -

propagating a vicious circle.”

A cultural tendency to defer to one's elders, even if they are spreading

wrong information, may be to blame here.

Singapore’s largest newspaper reported a new phenomenon in June of 2017: “Weak Spot

in the Battle - the Elderly Who Spread the Gossip.”

http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/weak-spot-in-the-battle-the-elderly-who-spread-the-gossip

An interesting sidenote…


Aragones, Pete. "The Importance of Beginner Tech Fluency in Senior Citizens." New York Amsterdam News, vol. 107, no. 52,

22 Dec. 2016, p. 29. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=120529383&site=ehost-live.

“Aging in America.” Institute on Aging, 2017. https://www.ioaging.org/aging-in-america. Accessed 09 Dec. 2017.

Anderson, Monica and Andrew Perrin. Barriers to Adoption and Attitudes towards Technology. Rep. Pew Research, 17 May 2017. Web. 11

Nov. 2017. http://pewrsr.ch/2qwaLgr

Appelt, Lianne C. et al. “Designing for the Elderly User: Internet Safety Training.” University of Baltimore, 2016.

Cirillo, Anthony. “The Top Scams Targeting Seniors and What to Do About Them.” Huffington Post, 9 Sept. 2016,

www.huffingtonpost.com/anthony-cirillo/senior-scams_+b_11766650.html

Erb, Robin. “Teaching Seniors to Use Internet Cuts Depression Risk.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 22 Apr. 2014,

www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/22/seniors-internet-fights-depression/8009059/.

“Introduction to the Join-In Project and Goals.” Join-In Project, 04 Feb 2014. https://joininproject.wordpress.com “Join-In Project.” 14 February

2014, https://joininproject.wordpress.com/. Accessed 09 Dec. 2017.

Presented by: Laura Stiles, MLIS. August

2018..

BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.ioaging.org/aging-in-america

http://pewrsr.ch/2qwaLgr

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/22/seniors-internet-fights-depression/8009059/

https://joininproject.wordpress.com


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Haesner, Marten, et al. “[Analysis of How Elderly Internet Users React to Unexpected Situations}.”

Zeitschrift Fur Gerontologie Und Geriatrie, vol. 48, doi:10.1007/s00391-014-0838-z.

Kirchheimer, Sid. “Five Scams Targeting Older Victims - Cyber Crime - Internet Scams - AARP Ever…” AARP, 20 June, 2012.

www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-06-2012/scams-targeting-older-victims.html.

Kita, Joe. "Top 10 Scams and Frauds You Can Avoid." AARP. AARP, Jan.-Feb. 2016. Web. 11 Nov. 2017. https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-

fraud/info-2015/scams-and-frauds-to-avoid.html

L. Gatto, Susan & Tak, Sunghee. (2008). Computer, Internet, and E-mail Use Among Older Adults: Benefits and Barriers. Educational

Gerontology - EDUC GERONTOL. 34. 800-811. 10.1080/03601270802243697.

“Media Literacy Tools for Senior Citizens.” EAVI, 31 July 2018, https://eavi.eu/media-literacy-tools-for-senior-citizens/.

MPS, Anita Kamiel RN. “A Hot Trend: The Internet, Social Media & The Elderly.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 7 Mar. 2016,

www.huffingtonpost.com/anita-kamiel-rn-mps/older-people-social-media_b_9191178.html.

“The new Senior Citizen is a Digital Citizen.” BinaryTattoo - Define your digital identity, 30 Nov. 2014, www.binarytattoo.com/the-new-senior-

citizen-is-a-digital-citizen/.

Pica, Jacquelyn. “6 Shocking Senior Scams — And How to Keep Your Loved Ones Safe.” The Penny Hoarder,

Https://Www.thepennyhoarder.com/, 30 Aug. 2017, www.thepennyhoarder.com/smart-money/how-to-detect-senior-scams/.


http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-06-2012/scams-targeting-older-victims.html

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2015/scams-and-frauds-to-avoid.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anita-kamiel-rn-mps/older-people-social-media_b_9191178.html

http://www.binarytattoo.com/the-new-senior-citizen-is-a-digital-citizen/

http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/smart-money/how-to-detect-senior-scams/

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Schaub, Hillary. “Why Senior Citizens Use the Internet.” Brookings, Brookings, 29 July 2016,

www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2014/04/11/why-senior-citizens-use-the-internet/.

Seegert, Liz. “Social Isolation, Loneliness Negatively Affect Health for Seniors.” Association of Health Care Journalists, 20 Mar. 2017,

healthjournalism.org/blog/2017/03/social-isolation-loneliness-negatively-affect-health-for-seniors/.

“Simplified Computer Software That Can Help Seniors Get Online.” HuffingtonPost.com. 9 September 2002.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-t-miller/software-for-seniors_b_1852656.html. 15 Aug 2018.

"Top 10 Scams Targeting Seniors." NCOA. National Council on Aging, 20 Oct. 2017. Web. 11 Nov. 2017.

https://www.ncoa.org/economic-security/money-management/scams-security/top-10-scams-targeting-seniors/#intraPageNav5

Webber, Sheila. “Information Literacy Weblog.” Older Persons. 18 May, 2017. http://information-

literacy.blogspot.com/search/label/Older%20persons

Winterton, Jamie. "Senior Citizens Aren’t Dumb for Falling Prey to Cyberscams." Slate Magazine. Slate, 15 Aug. 2016. Web. 11 Nov.

2017.

Unless otherwise noted, images are from Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest, Photos for Class and Pixabay.


http://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2014/04/11/why-senior-citizens-use-the-internet/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-t-miller/software-for-seniors_b_1852656.html

https://www.ncoa.org/economic-security/money-management/scams-security/top-10-scams-targeting-seniors/#intraPageNav5

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