Ageism refers to stereotypes (how we predict), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we behave) we may cling to others or ourselves because of age.
Ageism is a novel form of discrimination since it is universal – it’s also known as the last acceptable form of discrimination. Ageism often intersects with other forms of discrimination, including sexism, racism and disability.
When it involves the development and distribution of technology, ageism has vital implications. It doesn’t just shape whether new technologies are implemented by older people, but in addition influences the way new technologies are developed and introduced to the market.
In recent years, there was an increased awareness of how technologies and digital platforms could cause discrimination on the basis of sex, race AND class. However, the issue of aging has received less attention.
Artificial intelligence, technologies used in health care and monitoring and surveillance systems, including: are increasingly integrated into the lives of older people.
(Center for Better Aging), CC BY
Technologies play a key role in on a regular basis life and it is crucial to look at how age, self-esteem and identity influence older adults’ use of technology.
As a social gerontologist interested in ageism (Stephanie Hatzifilalthis), my questions are threefold: 1) Why don’t we make every effort to create technologies based on principles of universal design? 2) How does age discrimination affect technology and vice versa? and three) Why don’t we take heed to older people when designing technology for his or her use?
People like us
In a 2017 episode of the Netflix series, the characters (played by Jane Fonda, now 84, and Lily Tomlin, 83) determine to revolutionize the vibrator market to “create products for people like us.”
When Grace suffers from a flare-up of arthritis caused by utilizing a sex toy, the friends design a vibrator that meets the rules universal design. Grace and Frankie then attempt to pitch their product, but are unsuccessful.
While Grace and Frankie are characters to be reckoned with, they’re fictional characters. In the real world, these are employees of the largest technology corporations mostly young, white and male.
In my postdoctoral work with social and significant gerontologist Nicole Dalmerwe explore how the phenomenon of aging is each produced and reproduced in the context of experience and design. We have a look at how older people think, speak and experience the technologies (and related data) that play a task in their lives.
We are also interested in how those involved in the design and development of technologies understand the potential effects of aging.
Engagement of older people
Our work is a component of a growing movement toward meaning and appreciation person-centred, participatory and visual design and research methods. Other researchers have proposed frameworks to guide them co-designing technology with older people.
Co-design is a well-established design approach that just isn’t yet widely used amongst older people. An vital aspect of our ongoing research is to be sure that our project is informed, led and influenced by older people, and that the project outcomes are meaningfully aligned with their needs, experiences and expertise.
By specializing in each designers and older end-users, we hope our research will highlight best practices in developing technologies that support independent living and significantly increase social participation in later life.
This won’t only help avoid costly barriers to technology adoption, but may also help alleviate the growing challenges of technology-related discrimination, exclusion and inclusion that each explicitly and implicitly color and shape the experience of aging.
Scientists, designers, and technology developers must take the initiative and take the time to think through personal biases related to age stereotypes in order to design technology with older people.
