Seniors Go Digital

About the city. Singapore’s rapidly aging population means that by 2030, the nation will join 33 others as a “super-aged” country, where one in five people are aged 65 or older. This silvering trend will touch every aspect of Singapore’s society and economy, from its fiscal policies to its generational dynamics.

Goal

The aim of the project is to accelerate digital adoption in the older community of Singapore.

Implementation period. The Seniors Go Digital Programme was launched in May 2020.

Fact

IMDA expects to reach out to and improve the skills of 100,000 seniors by March 2021, which would be a significant jump from the current annual target of 10,000 seniors reached through one-to-one individual skilling efforts.

Solutions

Seniors Go Digital is a specially designed programme to assist seniors on their digital education.

Locally, the SG Digital Office mobilises digital ambassadors to help 100,000 older people through individual or small group activities, including interactive study trips. The curriculum for each senior will be divided into levels according to their digital needs, and high school students will focus on three levels of digital skills:

Level 1: seniors will learn how to use basic communication tools, including messaging and making video calls on WhatsApp, subscribing to Gov.sg, configuring Wireless@SGx and cybersecurity tips.

Level 2: seniors learn how to use government digital services like SingPass Mobile for SafeEntry and cybersecurity tips.

Level 3: seniors will learn how to use electronic payment tools, such as using SGQR codes in markets and shopping centres, online banking apps, and cybersecurity tips.

There are three ways for older people to learn:

• Online training
• SG Digital Offices
• Learning Journey and Small Group Classes

SDO digital ambassadors have helped older people acquire skills such as using smartphones to communicate online and access government digital services.

To encourage seniors to continue their education and better monitor their progress, each senior will receive a Seniors Go digital activity pack so they can collect stamps to redeem for prizes after completing their learning activity. Stamps can be used to redeem prizes such as cooler bags, mugs, and reusable containers.

Challenges

Not all of the seniors have an opportunity to surf the internet due to the lack of money and smartphones. Also, existing mobile plans are unsuitable for seniors.

Financial help has been made available for eligible seniors who need support to obtain smartphone and mobile plans. Five mobile service providers started rolling out mobile plans with “larger data bundles at a lower cost” for seniors from June, while another initiative provides lower-income seniors with subsidised smartphones and data plans.

Team

Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the SG Digital Office (SDO)

Timeline

• IMDA reported that more than 95% of the seniors who received training were satisfied with the sessions, and about 80% continued to apply the digital skills they have picked up in their everyday lives.
• SG Digital Office was launched in June.
• In July 2020, 50 SG Digital community hubs were set up throughout the island.
• M1 Limited (M1) on 29 June announced the launch of its new mobile plans in line with the Seniors Go Digital programme launched by the IMDA.
• More than 16,000 seniors have been given one-on-one coaching to access digital services such as their SingPass accounts and learn to make video calls on their mobile phones.

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