In an effort to narrow the digital gap between generations, a telecoms company and a non-government organisation in Korea has teamed up to train older citizens on how to use mobile phones.
“This program not only teaches the elderly how to use mobile devices but also helps narrow the digital gap between the elderly and other groups in society,” Irene Kim, SKTelecom press officer, told FutureGov Asia Pacific Magazine.
“It also contributes to increase communication among different generations as the elderly and the college students who volunteer in this program get a chance to understand each other.”
The training comes with different levels of expertise. The program’s basic course teaches the elderly how to send text/photo messages and use a mobile phone camera.
The intensive course includes more complicated procedures such as transferring data to computers by connecting the mobile phone to a PC and how to take mobile videos and use other value-added services.
“Furthermore, they are taught how to protect themselves from mobile phone-related crimes like voice phishing and spam messaging,” Kim adds.
All senior citizens who are members of Senior Welfare Centres within the association can apply for and receive training, she said.
The Korea Communications Commission announced in November an implementation plan for closing the digital divide caused by unequal access to smart mobile services.
Kim said: “ICT can truly enrich the lives of the elderly with the support of useful programs that help them get familiar to and benefit from cutting-edge technologies and services.
“Through this initiative, social problems—such as the digital divide, the generation gap etc—that are stemming from rapid technological development, can be gradually resolved.
Source: http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2010/dec/28/korean-program-trains-seniors-use-mobile-phones/
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