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BECID’s Initiatives for Enhancing Media and Digital Literacy Among the Elderly in Estonia

Baltic Engagement Centre for Combating Information Disorders (BECID) significantly contributes to developing media and digital skills among the elderly in Estonia through training sessions, workshops, and the creation and distribution of informational materials. Additionally, we participate in events targeted at seniors, answering media literacy questions, introducing the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence, and providing students from the University of Tartu’s journalism and communication program with opportunities to conduct educational activities for seniors in Tartu, the European Capital of Culture.

Here are some examples of our efforts to encourage the elderly to participate in the European Parliament elections and make informed decisions:

From September 2023 to the end of May 2024, students from Luunja High School conducted workshops across Estonia to improve seniors’ digital skills, which can be read about in more detail here. The project is funded by Telia and is part of BECID’s 4th work package.

On May 7, Inger Klesment, a media literacy specialist at BECID, conducted an online training session for seniors. The main topics were traditional and social media, artificial intelligence, and internet fraud.

On May 17, students from the University of Tartu’s “Media Education” course conducted various activities introducing artificial intelligence as part of the Prejudice Festival in Tartu, Estonia. Discover the ideas developed during the course to help improve media literacy among the elderly.

On May 9, Maria Murumaa-Mengel, Associate Professor of Media Studies at the University of Tartu, and Inger Klesment, a media literacy specialist at BECID, spoke about the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence at the Elderly Festival organized by Maaleht. Additionally, postcards designed by Gretel Juhansoo, Maria Murumaa-Mengel, and Inger Klesment were distributed, introducing common internet fraud schemes and providing guidelines for dealing with them.

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