Public services in an online format enable easier access to social benefits and finding the necessary information. However, older people sometimes lack the digital skills needed to use public information on the Internet. This represents a potential obstacle to the exercise of their fundamental rights. European Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) warns that this puts them in an unfavorable situation and at risk and excludes them from the digital society. EU countries should ensure access to public services for everyone. Older people must be able to choose how they access public services and get help learning digital skills.
In Europe, the population is aging rapidly, while our societies are becoming increasingly digital. Many public services are available online, and an increasing number are being digitized.
However, statistics show that only one in four people in the EU aged between 65 and 74 have basic digital skills. Consequently, it can be concluded that in our digital societies, the elderly population is denied their basic rights, such as access to healthcare services, or online access to pensions.
The FRA report entitled "Fundamental rights of older people: ensuring access to public services in a digital society" shows that legislation in EU countries often does not recognize the risk of digital exclusion and does not address the obstacles faced by older people
To ensure access to public services for all, it is necessary to pay attention to the following key facts:
- Equal access– Access to public services such as pensions or social benefits is a fundamental right. States should guarantee older people access to an increasing number of digitalised public services.
- Inclusion and participation – Older people are not always involved in the development and design of digital services. EU countries should ensure that older people contribute to the development of digital services in line with their needs.
- New digital skills – not everyone has the necessary skills and resources to use digital tools. To avoid digital exclusion, EU countries can use EU funds to help older people improve their digital literacy.
- The fight against discrimination based on age (ageism) - Age discrimination affects the willingness and ability of older people to engage with modern technologies. States should encourage peer learning and intergenerational training and avoid age-discriminatory language.
- Inclusive data collection – At the EU level, there is no data on the digital literacy of people over 74 years of age, although this group will represent 20% of the population in 2050. Data on this group needs to be systematically collected.
The FRA report is available at the following link: Fundamental rights of older people: ensuring access to public services in digital societies | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (europa.eu)
Members of the BaBe association participated in the preparation of the report for the Republic of Croatia and it is available at the link: hr-ageing_in_digital_societies-country_report.pdf (europa.eu)
