Across the globe, we’re witnessing a profound demographic shift: the older adult population is not only growing but also becoming more diverse in age, culture, and lifestyle. With such a shift comes an opportunity to innovate in ways that support older individuals’ quality of life. However, this same rapid pace of innovation can also risk leaving them behind if we fail to address “digital ageism”—the tendency for technology to overlook or exclude older adults in its design and functionality.
Professor Hussein, representing the MENARAH Network, has collaborated with Aspen Digital in developing the Older Adults & Digital Equity Playbook to give a voice to older adults, especially those in the MENA region. This initiative sheds light on ways organizations can actively reduce bias and foster inclusion in technology, which becomes increasingly vital as technology integrates deeper into all aspects of life, from healthcare to social connections.
Digital Ageism: A Global Challenge
One of the report’s key concerns is “digital ageism,” a form of exclusion where technology is primarily designed around younger populations, leading to experiences that can feel inaccessible or irrelevant to older adults. For instance, algorithmic models trained on limited datasets often fail to reflect the diversity and complexity of older populations, leaving gaps in service for those who need it most.
From an international perspective, this issue is particularly urgent. In the MENA region, where populations are also ageing and diverse, the gap between older adults and digital solutions can be even more pronounced. Professor Hussein and the MENARAH Network have long been advocates for bringing an inclusive lens to technology, emphasizing that when we leave behind older adults, we lose valuable insights and experiences from a vital segment of society.
The Aspen Digital Playbook: A Practical Guide for Inclusive Technology
Older Adults & Digital Equity offers a comprehensive playbook to support technologists, policymakers, and civil society leaders in promoting digital equity. This roadmap is anchored on three pillars:
- Inclusive Data Collection: For technology to be truly equitable, data collection must encompass older adults across diverse backgrounds, ensuring that algorithms are trained on data that reflects their needs and realities.
- Designing for All, Not Just the Majority: Many tech products today inadvertently prioritize younger users. The Playbook urges inclusive design practices that consider older adults in every phase, from conception to post-launch.
- Building Transparency and Trust: The success of technology among older adults depends on trust. By fostering transparency, engaging in continual product iteration, and developing long-term partnerships with communities, tech companies can build meaningful, lasting connections with older users.
A Path Forward with MENARAH and Global Leaders
Through collaborative efforts with the MENARAH Network, Aspen Digital’s Playbook underscores the need for inclusive technology across regions, especially in historically underrepresented areas like the MENA region. Professor Hussein’s input has been instrumental in ensuring that the nuances of different cultural contexts are reflected, amplifying the voices of older adults from diverse backgrounds.
The Older Adults & Digital Equity Playbook ultimately serves as both a guide and a call to action. By acknowledging and addressing the gaps that digital ageism creates, we can harness technology’s potential to enhance social connection, health, and independence for older adults globally.
Conclusion
As we look toward the future of technology, inclusivity and equity must remain central. The work of Professor Hussein and the MENARAH Network alongside Aspen Digital highlights the importance of collaborative approaches to ensure technology serves everyone—regardless of age, location, or background.
For anyone invested in the future of digital inclusion, the Older Adults & Digital Equity Playbook provides a practical, thoughtful framework for creating technology that empowers older adults and enriches communities worldwide.
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Founder and Director
Shereen Husseinis a Health and Social Care Policy professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), United Kingdom.
Shereen Founded the MENARAH Network in 2019, through an initial grant from the Global Challenge Research Fund, UKRI. She is a medical demographer with expertise in ageing, family dynamics, migration and long-term care systems. Shereen regularly collaborates with the United Nations, the World Health Organisation and the World Bank in policy and research focused on ageing in the Middle East and North Africa Region.
Shereen received her undergraduate degree in statistics and a postgraduate degree in computer science at Cairo University. She completed an MSc in medical demography at the London School of Hygiene and a PhD in quantitative demography and population studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom.
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