Inspiration
This project started with my grandmother.
While watching her use technology, I noticed how convincing AI-generated videos had become. Seeing how easily she mistook them for real content made me realize how difficult it can be for older adults to distinguish between real and misleading information online.
I also began to notice how technology can affect people's daily lives in other ways. Excessive screen time and unhealthy digital habits can interfere with our well-being and relationships.
These experiences inspired me to create Digital Compass, an educational platform that helps older adults navigate the digital world more safely and confidently while developing healthier relationships with technology.
How I built it
Even though I wasn't fully confident in my programming skills, I decided to do the best I could with the knowledge and tools I had.
I built Digital Compass using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, combining them to create the website and its interactive features.
I organized the content into separate modules and added activities that allow users to engage with the topics rather than simply read about them. I also focused on making the website accessible and easy to navigate for older adults who may not be very familiar with technology.
There is still a lot I want to improve. As I continue developing the project, I'd like to introduce more challenging activities that encourage users to think critically, analyze information, and apply what they learn.
What it does
Digital Compass goes beyond teaching basic technical skills. It focuses on digital literacy, critical thinking, online safety, and healthy technology habits.
Through different modules and interactive activities, users can learn about digital health, online scams, deepfakes, and digital privacy. The goal is to help them recognize potential risks, question what they see online, and make informed decisions.
I believe technology should be a tool that improves our lives, not something that confuses or manipulates us. Digital Compass is my way of helping people make better use of it.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
One of my biggest challenges was building the website while still learning and developing my programming skills. I didn't always know how to implement everything I had in mind, so I had to work with what I knew, figure things out as I went, and find ways to bring my ideas to life.
Another challenge was finding the right way to present topics like deepfakes, online scams, and digital privacy. I wanted older adults to understand and relate to the content, but I also didn't want the website to feel boring or make users lose interest and give up halfway through. I wanted the activities to be accessible without being too easy, giving users a chance to think critically and actively engage with what they were learning.
These challenges taught me that building an educational platform involves more than just writing code. It also means understanding the people who will use it and finding ways to make learning both useful and engaging.
Accomplishments I'm Proud Of
One thing I'm glad I did was show Digital Compass to my grandmother. Since she inspired the project, her opinion mattered to me. I wanted to see how comfortable she felt using the website and hear her thoughts on what I could improve.
I'm also proud of what I've learned along the way. Every mistake I fixed and every problem I solved helped me understand something new and make the project a little better. Those small steps have been an important part of building Digital Compass, and I'm glad they have brought me closer to creating something that could help others feel safer and more confident when using technology.
What's Next for Digital Compass?
Digital Compass is just the beginning of what I hope it can become. There are still many ideas I'd like to explore, including expanding the platform with user accounts and building an active community where people can learn, share experiences, and help each other navigate the digital world.
In the near future, I'd also like to turn Digital Compass into a volunteer initiative, making its resources available to more people who could benefit from them. There's still a lot to learn and improve, but I'm excited to keep developing the project and see how far it can go.
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