An event aimed at tackling the digital exclusion of older people was held in Oxford last week.
Mung!, a start-up co-founded by Oxford University PhD students Linda Hong Cheng, Tongshan Liu, and Marek Rychetsky, organised the 'Combating Digital Ageism' event on Wednesday, August 21.
Mung! works to make digital technology accessible and inclusive to people of all ages.
The start-up aims to develop "tech-for-good to solve the urgent, irreversible global trends of aging and digitisation".
The event, which was Oxford's first combatting digital ageism event, consisted of two main parts - a digital skills workshop designed specifically for those aged 55 and older and a panel discussion centred on fighting digital ageism.
The panel was led and moderated by Mung! CEO and co-founder Ms Cheng.
It featured speakers including professor Max Van Kleek from Oxford's Human-Centred Computing Department, Michelle Yeung from the Translational Sciences Department, and Carrie Brooks from Age UK Oxfordshire.
Discussions touched on the impact of digital inclusion for ageing populations, decolonising product design processes, the work Mung! is doing to make technology inclusive of all ages, and the obstacles older adults and marginalised communities encounter in accessing digital resources.
Ms Cheng said: "Mung! is solving a pressing international issue - digital exclusion.
"Being able to use technology has become necessary for surviving and thriving in society, as recognised by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Four.
"Yet the tech industry remains very exclusionary and overwhelmingly serves younger people - perpetuating the digital exclusion of older people.
"Simply put, it's both bad ethics and bad business to exclude older people from the digital world.
"As technology continues to innovate at a pace faster than humans can learn it, it’s imperative that everyone - especially the most marginalized communities - are included.
"Mung! is here to make technology accessible and inclusive for all ages."
The digital skills workshop attracted a mixed group of older residents from across Oxfordshire.
Volunteers gave hands-on support, teaching attendees everything from basic device functions to solving complex technological issues that had previously hindered their daily lives.
Tongshan Liu, architect of the digital skills workshop, said: “It was an amazing turnout and great crowd. All the older participants were so enthusiastic and passionate about learning new technologies.
"There’s such a pressing demand and need for digital inclusion, yet strikingly few tech companies are dedicated to solving it.
"Older people overwhelmingly struggle with loneliness and isolation, and digital exclusion exacerbates this.
"It was palpable how happy older participants were to have a space where they could socialise, learn, and engage technology with caring young people.
"This event underscored the critical role Mung! is playing in cultivating cross-generational community.”
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