Course "Media and Older Adults"

On April 1 and 8, 2025, Professor Gabriele Balbi and PhD Student Petra Mazzoni from the Institute of Media and Journalism (IMeG) at the Università della Svizzera italiana (Lugano-USI) will conduct a course titled "Media and Older Adults". The course is part of the "Communication and Media" disciplinary area of the Università della Terza Età (UNI3) – Associazione Ticinese per la Terza Età (ATTE).

The course addresses the topic of the use (and misuse) of traditional media (newspapers, radio, and television) and digital media (smartphones, social networks) by individuals over the age of 65, exploring their communicative relationship with other generations, as well as the opportunities and challenges in this context. Media, in fact, age alongside people and accompany them over time. Our relationship with media evolves throughout life, as do the ways we use them. This course introduces relational concepts regarding media use and presents data emerging from research on individuals over 65. It also includes interactive discussion sessions with the audience, aiming to understand their experiences.

The course is open to everyone and will be held on April 1 and April 8 from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM at Bistrot Vecchio Torchio, Via Luigi Taddei 4C, Viganello. For more information and to register for the courses offered by UNI3, click on the following link.