In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, media and information literacy have become crucial skills for navigating the vast amount of information available online. While these skills are essential for people of all ages, they are particularly important for senior citizens, who may not have grown up with the same level of exposure to digital technology. Ensuring that seniors are equipped with the tools to critically evaluate and use information can enhance their quality of life, empower them to make informed decisions, and protect them from misinformation and scams.

Media literacy involves the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms. This includes understanding the nature of media messages, recognizing bias and propaganda, and discerning credible sources from unreliable ones.

Information literacy, on the other hand, refers to the skills needed to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively. This encompasses knowing how to search for information, understanding the ethics of information use, and being able to synthesize and apply knowledge from different sources.

For senior citizens, developing these literacies can help them navigate the complexities of the digital world, from social media to news websites, and from online banking to telehealth services.

In Bulgaria, the context of MIL skills of senior citizens (55+) shows that for a large part of the elderly generation, there is a lack of skills to clearly distinguish between secure and insecure sources of information; they are not familiar with the possibilities of checking this information and facts, and this often leads to being misinformed.

According to a study by the “Open Society Institute Sofia” Foundation, Bulgaria ranks last among EU countries in the 2023 Media Literacy Index. Bulgaria ranks 35th out of a total of 41 evaluated countries in Europe, which places it among the countries most vulnerable to disinformation. The index measures the potential vulnerability of societies to misinformation and related negative phenomena based on indicators of quality of education, media freedom, trust in people, and e-participation.

Compared to the index for 2022, Bulgaria falls by two places—from 33rd place in 2022 to 35th place in 2023—and also loses 2 points—from 33 points in 2022 to 31 points in 2023. However, the country remains in the same fourth cluster out of a total of five. Bulgaria performs the worst on the indicators related to education and media freedom and the best on the indicators related to new forms of civic participation.

Media and informational literacy are essential skills for senior citizens in the digital age. By addressing the unique challenges faced by seniors and providing tailored education and support, we can help them navigate the digital world with confidence and security. Empowering seniors with these skills not only enhances their individual well-being but also contributes to a more informed and resilient society.