Some universities in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province in east China, have recently set up modules to teach elderly people how to use smartphones. The classes include many basic applications, such as making e-payment, online hospital appointment registration and using the health code. These classes are popular among seniors who face inconveniences in their daily life as they lag behind electronic product knowledge.
Considering the situation, during this year's National Day holiday, October 1-8, shops, hospitals, banks and railway stations waived the requirement for the elderly to show their health code. For seniors, staff service was provided. However, teaching them to use smartphones is the best way to help them adapt to the information era.
The popularity of the smartphone classes indicates that the elderly are willing to learn new things. But limited access has hampered their progress. Therefore, local governments, public service organizations and smartphone companies should create more opportunities for them to explore advanced technologies.
When this group becomes skilled at using smartphones, the consumption potential they would unleash would contribute to the dual-circulation development, where domestic consumption and indigenous technological development play an important role in driving China's growth.
This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in www.banyuetan.org on October 29
(Print Edition Title: A Helping Hand for The Elderly)
