Seniors bridge the digital divide

According to the China Development Research Foundation, it is estimated that people age 65 and older will account for 14 percent of the country's population next year, and by 2050, China could have 500 million people age 60 and older.

A report from the China Internet Network Information Center shows that as of June, 940 million Chinese were using smartphones to go online, and 10.3 percent of those users were age 60 or older. From March to June, the number of senior users age 60 or older rose by 36 million.

The government is aware of the problems facing seniors.

In November, the State Council, China's Cabinet, outlined measures to help the elderly make better use of smart technology to access medical treatment, recreational activities and public services.

For example, on March 3, the authorities in Changzhou, Jiangsu, introduced a series of measures at public venues, such as railway stations, parks and banks, to provide traditional forms of service to seniors, including cash payments and physical tickets.

According to the website of the Standing Committee of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Congress, users of public services, such as transportation, water, electricity and gas, are not required to pay digitally.

Apps for news portals, social media platforms such as Sina Weibo and Toutiao, medical services and the travel agency Ctrip have been earmarked as the first to be updated with "senior-friendly" versions. Authorities have also been asked to set up a long-term mechanism by the end of next year to mitigate the impact digitalization has had on the elderly.

Technology companies have been targeting seniors, recognizing the huge financial potential. Products with larger app icons, bigger text, simple displays, voice-assisted technology and emergency buttons have been designed for this market.

Program launched

In Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, the Yangfan student club at Xi'an Jiaotong University launched a program in 2013 aimed at helping seniors bridge the digital divide and better integrating them into a smart society.

The program has helped hundreds of retirees from the university, particularly those with no children living with them and who lack basic smartphone and computer skills.

Qu Fengyu, 83, a retired chemistry professor, is one of those attending such sessions each week.

"As the pandemic struck, such skills became essential and it was impossible to live without them," said Qu, whose two children are in the United States.

Her past experience of failing to register online for a doctor's appointment made her determined to learn.

As part of the program, each weekend about 30 student volunteers, mostly undergraduates, meet and help seniors overcome difficulties they encounter in an increasingly digitalized society.

Liu Kaitian, head of the club, said the program has expanded over the years, from computer skills, to smartphone use, scanning QR codes and using apps.

"We all have elderly members of our families and we will grow old ourselves. Seniors shouldn't be abandoned in such a tech-empowered world," he said.

Qu has now mastered shopping online, the use of various apps and knows how to scan QR codes.

"It's not easy to learn at such an age, but the convenience gained is worth the effort. More important, I feel better connected with these warm-hearted students," she said.