In the high-altitude, mountainous city of Manizales, Colombia, a quiet revolution in digital literacy is taking place. As a region with one of the most rapidly aging populations in the country, the local community has faced a pressing challenge: how to protect vulnerable older adults from the rising tide of viral misinformation. For residents like 69-year-old Ángela María Henao Toro, the digital world once felt like a minefield. She recalls receiving alarmist WhatsApp messages claiming that local temperatures were set to spike to a dangerous 122 degrees Fahrenheit—a claim that was entirely false, yet cleverly designed to incite panic. Through the “Digital Literacy Against Misinformation” course, offered by the Intergenerational University at the Universidad de Caldas, people like Ángela are moving from passive consumers of suspicious content to savvy, critical thinkers.
The program was born out of a demographic reality: 21% of the population in Manizales is over the age of 60. Recognizing that older adults are frequently targeted by online scams and manipulative disinformation, the university developed a robust educational initiative that goes far beyond simple technical training. Over the past year, more than 2,000 seniors have participated in free courses ranging from history and art to technology and mental health. The vice rector, Darío Arenas Villegas, emphasizes that these sessions serve a dual purpose: they combat the profound societal issue of loneliness among the elderly while equipping them with the mental defenses necessary to navigate a polarized digital landscape where truth is often obscured by sensationalism.
The educational approach taken by the university is remarkably hands-on, partnering with local investigative outlet Pensé que ‘VOZ’ Sabías. Instead of lecturing participants on the evils of the internet, founder Sania Salazar leads interactive workshops that flip the script. Students aren’t just told what to avoid; they are taught how to play the role of misinformation creators. By simulating the creation of fake narratives, participants gain a visceral understanding of how emotional manipulation works and why certain headlines are designed to trigger fear. For retirees who once felt overwhelmed by the speed of social media, this practical, eye-opening training has transformed their digital habits from impulsive sharing to deliberate verification.
Students find the program to be a deeply empowering experience that fosters connection rather than isolation. Alumni like 72-year-old Luz Marina Hoyos Botero, who has participated in several courses, report a radical shift in their online behavior. Where she once reflexively forwarded messages that played on her anxieties, she now pauses to cross-reference information against established news organizations. This shift has not only made her safer online but has integrated her into a broader community of peers who value truth. The camaraderie built in these classrooms proves that the digital divide is not an inherent trait of aging, but a gap that can be bridged with patience, empathy, and the right tools.
A crucial component of the curriculum is helping participants discover quality journalism they were previously unaware of. Salazar, the instructor, notes that many older adults are completely excluded from the digital news ecosystem, not by lack of intelligence, but by a lack of guidance. By introducing students to a curated list of reliable, high-quality Colombian and Latin American digital outlets, the program acts as a bridge to legitimate information. It reminds these students that they are not just victims of the “info-demic,” but active citizens who have a right to engage with accurate, professional reporting. The realization that their voice and their ability to share verified information matters is a powerful motivator.
As the program enters its second year, the momentum only continues to grow. The Intergenerational University is preparing for its fifth cohort, and the culture of learning has even spilled over into the community, with alumni forming independent reading clubs to analyze the month’s headlines. This initiative serves as a poignant reminder that lifelong learning is a cure for stagnation. By treating older adults not as a demographic to be protected from technology, but as active participants capable of mastering it, Manizales is proving that critical thinking and media literacy are not merely skills for the youth—they are essential tools for a vibrant, informed life, no matter your age.