Breaking barriers to digital literacy: An intergenerational social-cognitive approach

©2016 ACM. In entering the digital realm, older adults face obstacles beyond the more clearly understood physical and cognitive barriers traditionally associated with accessibility. This experience report is a collection of narratives from learners and student tutors who participate in our digital literacy sessions for seniors. We point out ways in which attitudes and motivations, framed by social and cultural factors, can either hinder or assist with adoption of commodity digital technology among older newcomers. We also show how a social-cognitive approach can help learners overcome barriers to digital literacy