Abstract
In light of growing digital inequalities in our society, older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairments, are among the groups most affected by digital exclusion. Especially in the context of a polycrisis, which reflects overlapping and interdependent social and technological challenges, access to digital spaces becomes increasingly vital for participation and empowerment. However, older adults remain structurally underrepresented in digital transformation processes, often due to a lack of accessible formats and inclusive co-creation opportunities. To address these challenges, this mixed methods study, grounded in design-based research, investigates how the web-based drawing tool ‘ArtEater’ can foster both digital and creative competencies. ArtEater was co-developed in close collaboration with participants based on their experiences and feedback, and tested with three heterogeneous senior groups, including people living with dementia. First insights from the ongoing research show that low-threshold digital creative tools can enable empowering experiences, even for individuals with no prior digital knowledge. Some participants envisioned linking their digital drawings to service robots, illustrating intergenerational imagination and a desire to shape digital futures. These findings highlight that ageing must not only be framed through vulnerability but also through agency and contribution. ArtEater creates aesthetic and participatory learning spaces, making digital engagement accessible and meaningful for a diverse older population. Such approaches contribute to counteracting the digital divide and to strengthening intergenerational solidarity in times of complex crisis. ArtEater was initially funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and is now being further developed through a Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) project.
Presenters
Bedirhan TunaPhD Student, Art Education / Studies, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Bayern, Germany Mohr Anja
Head of "Lehr- und Forschungseinheit Kunstpädagogik", Education of Arts, Department Kunstwissenschaften, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Bayern, Germany
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Aging, Intergenerational Solidarity and the Polycrisis
KEYWORDS
Creativity, Aging and Technology, Design-Based Research, Digital Inclusion, Intergenerational Solidarity
