New Zealand seniors learning social media...How to Live in the Digital Age

[Anchor]
In New Zealand, an increasing number of people aged 65 and over are paying attention to digital activities after the pandemic.

It is to pay attention to SNS as a means of preventing social isolation and communicating with family members and acquaintances.

We should also pay attention to this, and more and more non-profit organizations are providing free digital education to the elderly.

Reporter Lee Jun-seop reports.

[Reporter]
People gathered in the library are in the midst of one-on-one classes.

I receive smartphone functions that I have never encountered before by hand and learn foreign language translation functions.

All students are over 65 years old,

This is a digital class site that a non-profit organization has been conducting for the elderly for seven years.

[Ian McGregor / 79 years old, digital technology learner: These activities are very important for older generations like me. This is because the elderly are prone to falling behind in rapid technological advances.]

{New Zealand, where the proportion of the elderly population is increasing day by day, is predicted to enter a super-aged society with 25% of the population over 65 by the 2050s.

As the number of elderly people increases, efforts to adapt to the digital age are also continuing.

[Lily / Volunteer] When you come, there are usually a few dozen people. In the IT era, young people follow it well, but the elderly have a lot of difficulties in living because they were not in those days in the past.]

In particular, the number of elderly people who want to learn digital technology has been increasing since the last pandemic, and as they felt a great sense of isolation due to the strong lockdown at the time, they paid attention to SNS as a means of communicating with people around them.

The "Digital Expo" for the elderly, which was recently held for the first time, attracted 1,500 people, reflecting high interest.

In particular, there was a great response to VR device experiences and OTT services, which were considered exclusive to young people.

[Phew / 89 years old / Participant in the event: I liked it because it was a customized event for the elderly. A lot of acquaintances around our age came.]

In line with this change, experts advise that more diverse digital education support for the elderly is needed in the future.

[Madeline Ball / 'Digital Senior' Team Leader: (Online interaction) has a real impact on seniors' mental health. Social relationships are really important. As such activities move online, communities (offline) shrink and social media become more important.]

Old New Zealanders learning digital skills to adapt to the changing times and communicate with society.

In order to create a world where we live together, it is time for young people and the elderly to join hands and show their wisdom.

I'm YTN World's Lee Junseop from New Zealand.