TACKLING DIGITAL INEQUALITY AS A CHALLENGE FOR MODERN SOCIAL WORK WITH OLDER PEOPLE

Abstract

The impetus for digitization puts new challenges for social workers to tackle social inequalities in the informational society. The research is aimed at studying the phenomenon of digital inequality and digital inclusion, discussing their pecularities in the context of social work with older people. It has been determined that digital inequality diminishes the social cohesion of a society and enhances the social exclusion of those who are not participanst in the informational, network society. Means and levels of digital inclusion are discussed, and the role of social media in countering digital exclusion is emphasized. The specificity of digital exclusion of older people is characterized, factors influencing this phenomenon, the need for digital resocialization of representatives of this socio-demographic group. Specific interventions are considered to encourage older people to use computer and information technology in their daily lives, and to overcome digital inequalities in today's information and network society. Such interventions are identified as mentoring intergenerational programs and special education for the elderly, implementing an inclusive online environment, etc. It is established that countering digital inequalities should be conducted at macro-, meso- and macro levels, and envisage both systematic policy measures to prevent digital exclusion and the formation of digital competences in the elderly, taking into account their psychophysiological characteristics and motivational attitudes, ensuring digital resocialization.