Manizales, Colombia, a city known for its significant population of residents over 60, has launched a transformative educational initiative to combat the growing scourge of digital misinformation. As the city’s demographic skew continues to rise—with 21% of citizens now over 60—the Universidad de Caldas established the Intergenerational University to cater to this aging population. Among its most critical offerings is the “Digital Literacy Against Misinformation” course, which empowers elderly residents to critically evaluate the news they encounter on social media platforms like WhatsApp.
The urgency of this initiative is highlighted by real-world dangers, such as viral, fabricated warnings about extreme weather phenomena. Participants like 69-year-old retired librarian Ángela María Henao Toro, who previously fell prey to false claims disguised as official Civil Defense alerts, credit the program for teaching them essential skepticism. By moving beyond passive consumption, these students are learning to recognize the manipulative tactics used by bad actors, such as fear-mongering and sensationalist headlines designed to exploit emotional reactions or generate clicks.
Beyond mere fact-checking, the university aims to foster a culture of critical thinking. Darío Arenas Villegas, vice rector for University Outreach, emphasizes that the program addresses the psychological and social needs of older adults as much as their technical ones. By maintaining a connection with the university, seniors are effectively combating social isolation while gaining the skills necessary to navigate the modern, often polarized, digital landscape—a crucial endeavor as Colombia faces complex public policy debates.
The university collaborated with “Pensé que ‘VOZ’ Sabías,” a local digital news outlet, to deliver the curriculum. Founder Sania Salazar, who brings a background in professional fact-checking, notes that the older cohorts are among the most enthusiastic and engaged students she has ever taught. The course curriculum is highly practical, including exercises where students simulate the creation of misinformation to gain a clearer understanding of how false narratives are constructed, disseminated, and ultimately dismantled.
These efforts have produced measurable results, with graduates reporting a marked shift in their digital habits. Participants like 72-year-old Luz Marina Hoyos Botero, who once routinely shared alarming but false viral content, now actively consult reputable news sources before distributing information to their social circles. The program also bridges the “digital divide” by introducing older adults to established, high-quality digital journalism outlets that they were previously unaware of, effectively connecting them to a more reliable information ecosystem.
As the Intergenerational University looks toward its fifth cohort, the program’s impact continues to expand. The university’s commitment to combating misinformation is now complemented by post-course community-building efforts, such as alumni-run news analysis clubs. By fostering a sense of civic responsibility and intellectual curiosity, the program is not only protecting seniors from online scams and misinformation but also ensuring that older generations remain informed, active, and essential participants in contemporary digital society.
