Older adults can be unfairly stereotyped for lacking digital knowledge. Today, many seniors grasp online spaces and their impacts; some wish to go even deeper. Everyone should be allowed access to deeper Internet literacy topics, regardless of age. Anyone can and should be allowed to be a fact-checking, dark web expert. The issue then becomes doing so safely.
The Dark Times Academy is one initiative that seeks to bring community education to critical digital topics. Recently launched in Auckland, they offer a range of online courses that aim to help people become better at navigating the modern world.
“We’re aiming to make learning joyful again – something that, in our view, is much needed in these dark times that we are all living through,” says Mandy Henk, who is formerly the CEO of community education group Tohatoha Aotearoa Commons. The initiative was founded by Mandy and Byron Clark, one of the nation’s leading experts on far-right extremism.
“From understanding the role of AI in the real world and fighting disinformation to an updated take on critical literacy, our courses are scheduled to be accessible to working adults across New Zealand and a range of global time zones, including the US and Australia,” Mandy says.
Grasping New Internet Topics
Many new hot-button digital topics such as mis- and disinformation, the AI bubble, dead Internet theory, and more are increasingly discussed. It can be a lot to grasp! If you’re looking for rabbit holes to go down and research, consider looking into these digital concepts.
Misinformation refers to false information spread without harmful intent, while disinformation is intentionally misleading content. A mnemonic to remember the difference is that misinformation is often spread by mistake, whereas disinformation is deliberate. Both are rampant online and major talking points. Asking for information sources and developing critical media literacy are key modern skills.
There’s this concept called ‘dead Internet theory’, which suggests that a majority of online activity is generated by bots or AI, making the internet less “human” and more automated, with the content largely artificial. It’s good to visit sites like Netsafe and participate in education like Dark Times Academy to develop an understanding of what AI-generated content looks like.
Be careful about what you post, too! Copyright laws govern what users can and cannot post, and privacy and content guidelines dictate what is acceptable. Violating these can lead to content removal or legal consequences. The biggest platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, and LinkedIn, each serve different purposes—social networking, content sharing, and professional development—and so have their own usage rules, privacy concerns, and community guidelines.
Online scams range from phishing to fraud and identity theft. Scammers use tactics like fake websites, emails, and social engineering to deceive individuals. Simply visiting a website that looks suspicious can deliver your data to hackers behind the scenes. Be careful when exploring the darker sides of the web without doing your research and protecting yourself with anti-virus software first. Stay safe online!
Staying Connected
Byron Clark says it’s important for Internet users to remain connected to a real-life network. It’s advice often told to school students that applies to folks of all ages. He notes how the tools and techniques that seniors would have learned to evaluate information at an earlier time are, in many cases, no longer accurate. “You have to approach finding information in a different way compared to even ten years ago.
“When it comes to the issues of mis- and disinformation, people are most likely to trust someone they have an existing relationship with. People who are isolated can develop parasocial relationships with people online, so it’s important to keep up those in-person connections to help prevent someone from being misled, deceived, or scammed.
“Seniors can be susceptible to loneliness, and the Internet can also be a positive solution to that, so long as digital tools are used in the right way, and that’s something family and friends can help with.”
The Dark Times Academy combines live teaching and pre-recorded lectures. Byron says his students enjoy intergenerational discussion and curated resources from trustworthy sources.
“We also can offer extra ‘tech support’ sessions for the tools we use in our courses, so being less savvy isn’t a barrier to learning online.”
Asking for digital help from friends and family is something to be proud of. Showing interest in cutting-edge technologies and protecting yourself from the developing digital world is already doing more than others can say. There’s an entire network of interesting online spaces, concepts and trends at your fingertips, waiting to be explored.
