Buddhist Innovation in Communication to Promote Online Information Literacy of the Elderly

Abstract

         The rapid transformation of society and digital technologies has positioned older adults as a significant group of online media users. However, they often face limitations in digital literacy, prior experiences with traditional media, and cognitive habits, which increase their vulnerability to misinformation, fake news, and online scams, particularly concerning health-related content. Promoting media literacy among older adults is thus crucial for fostering critical thinking, informed decision-making, and safe digital media usage.

         This study proposes a Buddhist communication innovation framework that integrates communication principles, the Kālāma Sutta, and Yoniso Manasikāra to enhance digital media literacy among older adults. Communication principles provide suitable channels and processes tailored to older users, the Kālāma Sutta encourages verification and discernment between reliable and misleading information, and Yoniso Manasikāra emphasizes rational, mindful analysis of information prior to decision-making. Research indicates that older adults commonly use social media platforms such as Facebook, Line, and YouTube for communication and information retrieval but often lack the skills to evaluate credibility, resulting in susceptibility to misunderstanding or deception. Buddhist communication innovations foster a mindful learning environment that promotes critical reflection, analytical thinking, informed decision-making, and responsible, safe digital media usage. In conclusion, integrating Buddhist principles into communication innovation offers an effective approach for developing digital competencies in older adults. It enables constructive, ethical engagement with online media and supports lifelong learning, contributing to a more informed, digitally responsible senior population.