BEIJING: “The Wi-Fi has gone.” “I can’t find the download.” “What on earth is a verification code?” “How can I refund my registration fee?”
New technologies aren’t always simple to understand for older generations.
China’s tech giants have been making efforts to lower tech barriers for seniors, rolling out new features to help older people better access digital technology.
Last November, two videos went viral on China’s social network. An old lady was denied to pay in cash for her medical insurance and a 94-year-old woman propped up by family members to activate facial recognition for her social security card.
The videos sparked heated discussions about the inconvenience and burden forced upon the elderly by the popularization of digital services.
In the same month, the State Council launched an initiative to help seniors bridge the digital divide, introducing a set of measures to help the elderly better adjust to technological innovations.
While the guideline requires relevant parties to keep non-digital services, it also encourages tech companies to tailor their products for seniors.
The plan sets objectives for the 2020-2022 period focusing on seven types of services and scenarios frequently encountered by the elderly, such as healthcare, recreational activities, transportation, and civic services.
In January, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology launched a year-long campaign to make online applications more elderly-friendly. – Agencies
