IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL EDUCATION FOR SENIORS

Publish date:

• 14th August, 2021

"Digital Literacy, the ability to use technology to navigate, evaluate, and create information."

20% of India's population will be in the 60 years and plus as per UN report.

85% of the elders are digitally challenged, mostly women.

As the world marches towards digital literacy by leaps and bounds, there is one segment in India of the population that has yet to catch up. The segment is the silver population of India. The age group of 55 and above, primarily of the middle and low income section. While most laptops, smartphones and iPad are becoming common place, the elderly is yet to onboard the same in large numbers, for a variety of reasons. These reasons include:

⦁ Literacy levels being low or non-existent

⦁ Hesitation to accept tech or new ideas

⦁ Financial reasons

⦁ Lack of access to digital education (informal or formal)

Digital literacy offers many benefits to senior citizens that include:

⦁ Independence

⦁ Confidence and self awareness

⦁ Connect with loved ones in different geographies

⦁ Pay all types of bills online

⦁ Order grocery and medicines online for home delivery

⦁ Enhance social life with online groups

⦁ Spend time constructively and positively

⦁ Learn new things in life via the internet

⦁ Access public transport facilities at the doorstep

⦁ Online consultation with medical professionals

As you can see from the above long list of benefits (and there are more), digital education can open up new avenues for the elderly. Thus, the elderly can get empowered if they have access and are taught how to use these electronic devices via internet connections. For the middle and upper-middle classes, these are not a problem, but it is for the underprivileged segment of society. With a focus on basic needs and shortage of funds, a smartphone is a luxury. And internet connection a chimera.

Unfortunately, this issue cannot be addressed till all of India benefits economically and there is a rise in the disposable income of all. Till then digital literacy will remain a mirage for most of the elders of India, except for the lucky ones who have relatives or sources of education.

Codleo Foundation is aware of this situation and is exploring avenues of digital literacy for our seniors who need it the most. Watch our space for developments in the road ahead.

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About the Author

RS Maan

Maan joined Salesforce Ecosystem in 2008 with entry of Salesforce in APAC region. He worked on many of the underlying Salesforce Products & it’s functionality, including Heroku, Chatbots, and Einstein before leading Codleo Consulting - Leading Partner of Salesforce.com & Salesforce.org. In his spare time, he immerses himself in travel, books and spirituality.