Alumni Network > Internet Changemakers Podcast
Internet Changemakers
Yes, the Internet shapes every aspect of our lives… But how do we shape the Internet?
From the humble days of dial-up to the rise of artificial intelligence and the metaverse, the Internet has fundamentally reshaped our world. In this captivating podcast, we explore the Internet’s origins, its transformative power, and its future potential.
This podcast features the work of the Internet Society—created by the very people who built the Internet—and the Internet Society Alumni Network. Join us as we go behind the curtain to uncover what it takes to grow and secure the Internet.
Meet pioneers, thought leaders, and today’s innovators. We tackle critical topics like online trust safety, online privacy, affordable access, and how the Internet Society’s model of community-centered connectivity is changing the world. Each episode dives into a distinct theme, blending engaging storytelling, expert perspectives, and a celebration of the community that is closing the digital divide and keeping the Internet safe and secure.
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a professional, or simply curious about the digital world, Internet Changemakers bridges the Internet’s past, present, and future. Discover stories of discovery, doubt, and inspiration—and learn what you can do to ensure a trustworthy and inclusive digital future.
Episode 5: The Digital Age Divide
In the fifth episode of Internet Changemakers, hosts Noha Ashraf AbdelBaky and Claire van Zwieten sit down with Kim Ochs, PhD., an educator and researcher specializing in lifelong learning and education technology, and Isaac Carrasco Ortiz, a sociologist and digital literacy advocate, to explore how the internet connects—and often divides—different generations. This episode, The Digital Age Divide, underscores that the internet is a shared space across ages—one that thrives when everyone feels empowered to participate with curiosity, confidence, and care.
Isaac shares how his journey into digital literacy work began unexpectedly through community teaching with older adults in Massachusetts. It’s one thing to work with older adults. It’s another thing to teach technology. But it’s a third thing entirely to teach older adults about technology. Through that work, he discovered the importance of confidence, empathy, and cross-generational understanding in shaping how people connect online.
Kim offers a framework for understanding digital literacy and draws on her experience teaching multigenerational classrooms to challenge the idea that digital literacy is tied to age. We often assume young people are skilled and older adults are not, but both groups are incredibly diverse. It has more to do with context, confidence, and motivation than chronology.