Ageism continues to shape contemporary representations of aging, standing as one of the most pervasive yet least examined forms of social bias in the media. In societies marked by demographic aging and the expansion of digital cultures, media narratives help define which forms of later life appear normal and desirable, while others are marginalized or silenced. Significant gaps remain, however, in understanding how these narratives are produced, how they influence subjective perceptions of aging, and what opportunities exist for older adults’ self-representation.

This project offers an innovative reading of the Italian context through a comparative, cross-media perspective that integrates representational analysis with a psychological lens on processes of identification and stereotype internalization. Examining high-visibility press coverage, Italian cinema, and social media content over a seven-year period makes it possible to trace continuities and transformations in later-life imagery, highlighting recurring narrative frames, social roles, dynamics of visibility and invisibility, and the intersections of age with gender, ethnicity, and sexuality.

By linking media representations to psychosocial processes, the study aims to contribute to a critical rethinking of aging narratives and to develop practical guidelines for promoting more inclusive and less ageist portrayals of later life.