Intergenerational Learning: Supporting Digital Wellbeing and Resilient Education Systems

Building Confidence and Connection Among Older Adults

Digital skills can help older adults maintain relationships, access information and participate more independently in everyday life. Intergenerational learning provides a supportive environment to develop these skills while recognising the knowledge and experience older adults contribute.

75% of older participants in the Irish pilot reported using new digital skills to reconnect with family or friends.

Helping Young People Navigate the Digital World

Young people need more than technical skills. They also need to understand how online content affects their emotions, recognise digital stress and respond constructively to cyberbullying.

• +20.9% Understanding how online content influences emotions
• +18.2% Confidence in seeking help with digital stress

Learning modules for children aged 10–11 also reported improvements in healthy digital habits (+8.0%) and digital resilience and emotional regulation (+12.9%). Activities such as The Digital Recipe Kitchen and The Unplugged Childhood Podcast combine digital learning with collaboration, reflection and communication across generations.

These experiences can help students develop empathy, challenge age-related stereotypes and recognise the value of different perspectives.

What Prevents Wider Adoption Across Europe?

Despite its potential, intergenerational learning is not yet consistently embedded in education systems across Europe. Research and literature reviews associated with Digital Harmony highlight five barriers:

• Short-term funding: Temporary funding can prevent successful initiatives from continuing.
• One-way learning: Programmes can overlook the knowledge and experience older adults contribute.
• Limited teacher support: Educators need training, resources and time to facilitate inclusive activities.
• Fragmented policies and evaluation: Limited long-term evaluation makes sustained impact difficult to assess.
• Digital inequality: Limited access to devices, internet and community learning spaces can exclude participants.

Connecting Intergenerational Learning with Teacher Wellbeing

Teachers are increasingly expected to address digital literacy, online safety, cyberbullying and students’ emotional wellbeing alongside their core teaching responsibilities. Without adequate time, training and institutional support, these expectations can add to existing professional pressures.

Intergenerational initiatives can create opportunities for schools, families and community organisations to share responsibility for digital wellbeing education. When properly supported, these partnerships can enrich learning while helping teachers access additional resources, practical approaches and community support.

However, these initiatives should complement rather than add to teachers’ responsibilities. Their effective implementation requires realistic workloads, appropriate training, clear roles and sustained institutional commitment. The Digital Harmony pilot findings provide insights into student and older-adult outcomes; they should not be interpreted as direct evidence of improved teacher wellbeing.

Learning Together for a More Inclusive Digital Future

Digital Harmony highlights the potential of intergenerational learning to strengthen digital confidence, social connection and responsible online behaviour. Lasting impact requires sustained investment, inclusive access, trained educators and effective evaluation.

By creating opportunities for generations to learn with and from one another, education systems can support digital wellbeing, social inclusion and more connected learning communities. For teachers, this also reinforces the importance of supportive educational environments in which digital wellbeing is a shared responsibility.