Journal Article

Ageism and Digital Media Investigating Age - Inclusive Practices

Marrie, Hassan

2024

Overview

Ageism is the term used to describe any form of social discrimination against individuals or groups based on their age. In this paper, ageism is contemplated to a narrower definition: discriminatory practice against active adults over age of sixty. Stereotypical content of elderly individuals can be seen in numerous depictions across the different media platforms. According to Loos and Ivan (2018), ageism in media is characterized by underrepresentation, misrepresentation, and marginalization of old age groups, vilifying ageing and older people with a prejudiced approach. Since negative and false stereotypes are deeply embedded in our culture, we eventually fail to detect them as misrepresentation. Fundamentally, age discrimination against older adults has been fueled by media-perpetuated stereotypes, which have a variety of detrimental effects on individuals and on society as a whole. Initially, ageist prejudices may have a destructive impact on how older people perceive themselves and their self-identity. In addition, being demoralized as an older person may run the risk of internalizing harmful stereotypes, which would be detrimental to mental, emotional, and physical well-being (Levy 2009; Levy et al. 2002b). Despite a new trend towards constructive portrayals of older people, as most organizations now have diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) departments to address issues such as ageism, racism, and gender bias, ageist behavior is still prevalent. Reinforcing age discrimination in real life and on social media could have serious negative consequences. What media lacks in its various content, based on pilot observation and content navigation, is an accurate, balanced, fair, and realistic representation of the active older adults in society. Given the prevalence of ageism in Egyptian culture and universally, its negative impacts on older adults' physical and mental health, and the intergenerational gap relationship, corrective action on anti-ageism is urgently needed. This paper aspires to shed light on ageism through a systematic literature review and qualitative data analysis to aim at facilitating the social inclusion of elders through the reduction and elimination of ageism in the media field.

• Publisher: جامعة أكتوبر للعلوم الحديثة والآداب - كلية الإعلام
• Subject: الإدماج الاجتماعي / الإعلام الرقمي / وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي