Essay Final Draft

The Singapore government takes on the challenge of an extremely fast paced world with increasing digital connectivity as way to reach out to its citizens.  The Singapore government is able to connect with its citizens through various online and social platforms. It has realised the importance of information and communication technology ICT, and developed various master plans to construct a well-connected society. According to Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, one of the national agencies also known as IDA (2014), Internet and computer usage among the population was 71% and 72% respectively in 2011. The usage demographics according to IDA (2014),  also revealed that 96% of those belonging to the age range of 15-34 years accessed the internet while  only 15% of those aged 60 years and above, had used the internet in that year. The data above clearly illustrates that the elderly population tend not to use the internet in comparison to the younger generation as the former do not see the rationale in doing so. The low usage of the internet by the elderly as illustrated above, it brings about a situation where there is a digital divide between the elderly and the rest of the family which puts the elderly at a disadvantage due to their “digital isolation”. IDA has been active in trying to bridge the gap through its various policies such as the Silver Infocomm Initiatives, which shows that it is moving in the right direction.  Because of the isolation  felt by the elderly due to the digital divide between them and the rest of the family members IDA should step in to bridge the gap  and in addition to that I will be also be suggesting an additional solution to narrow the gap.

Reasons for the digital divide and the potential problems as a result

The reason for the digital divide to exist could simply be due to ignorance or lack of knowledge of the benefits of being in touch with the technology particularly the internet, among the elderly.  The digital divide could be due to factors like gender, education and socio–economic status (Paul & Stegbauer, 2005). One should note that the diffusion rate of technology among elderly is on the rise but still lags behind the young generation.  However, the bigger concern should be the potential problems that could arise as a result of this digital divide between the elderly and the rest of the family members. Such a divide could result in social problems for the elderly as they might feel left out and feel “digitally isolated “from the rest of the family members who are in touch with technology.  This is so because the family members of the elderly might view them in negative light as the elderly are not in touch with technology which could strain their relationship between them in a worst case scenario.

IDA’s on- going efforts 

The Silver Infocomm Initiative (SII) aims to lessen the digital divide among senior citizens by addressing their differences in educational background, language and infocomm competencies (Silver Infocomm Junctions and Hotspots, 2014). The SII comprise of programmes that provide access to IT training and computer resources, and engage senior citizens in various Silver Infocomm events such as Silver Infocomm Day. Nine IT learning hubs, Silver Infocomm Junctions (SIJs), which are senior-friendly and conveniently situated at island-wide venues such as Eunos and Bouna Vista community clubs. (Silver Infocomm Junctions and Hotspots, 2014) The SIJs offer rational, infocomm training and custom made curriculum for senior citizens. Senior citizens are also able to enjoy follow up tutorials for more thorough learning (Silver Infocomm Junctions and Hotspots, 2014).

Evaluation of IDA’s efforts

It is commendable that IDA is taking effort to bridge the digital divide between the elderly and the rest of the family members. However, the policies need to tackle the root cause of the problem and I feel it was generally ineffective. In this case, the reason why elderly are not in touch with technology, is due to their ignorance and they do not see the need to be. Thus the policies that are rolled out should focus on educating the elderly in aiding them to make an informed choice when it comes to using technology and internet. Though SII includes programmes that provide training and access to IT, the success rate of such programmes might be low as many elderly might not be so forthcoming in attending them as they simply might not see any incentive in doing so. Furthermore, elderly might need more time to comprehend how to use ICT, in comparison to the younger generation. Thus, it is important that IDA continually promote the use of ICT in time to come. Also, there seems to be no concrete way for IDA to track whether the elderly really benefited from the SII programme. IDA could come up with a feedback system, so that the elderly could voice their opinion on the implemented programs. This is because with a feedback system, it allows for two-way communication between the IDA and the elderly.

Proposed solution and evaluation

IDA can organise monthly campaigns called “Use the Internet with me” around neighbourhoods, to promote the use of internet among the elderly.  For example IDA could have computers set up at the campaign with personnel to guide the elderly along basic computer applications like opening a website, browsing the internet and using the internet, search engines like Yahoo and Google to find the necessary information. This proposed solution draws inspiration from previously implemented initiatives by IDA such as the SII programme. However what is different is that, the elderly have to come with one of their family members to use the internet at the campaigns around the neighbourhood.  In a case if an elderly is living on his/her own, the personnel will be partnering with them. Though there will be personnel stationed at every booth, the elderly have to compete a certain number of tasks for example, opening a web browser, searching for some terms using the search engine with the help of the family member and submitting the answers online to complete the task. Though critics might argue that the participation rate might is low, however the main motive of the campaign is to help the elderly learn how to use the ICT in a fun and interactive way from their own family members.  Such campaigns can also reap other potential benefits such as increasing the bond between the elderly and the rest of the family members. Also, to get more participation from the elderly IDA could have some prizes for the top 3 winners from the monthly campaign such as NTUC vouchers to incentivise more to take part in these campaigns. 

Conclusion

The digital divide between the younger and older population, namely the elderly, is not likely to be closed in the near future.  However, efforts could be channelled to narrow the divide as more and more elderly are opening to the idea of internet and using technology. Thus if the internet becomes more widely used among the elderly it will reap benefits for them (Paul & Stegbauer, 2005). IDA has been constantly come up initiatives to bridge the digital divide. However, what is foremost needed to narrow the gap is a change in the mind-set of the elderly in using ICT.  For such a change to happen, it will take time and effort. Also, the burden of narrowing the digital divide should not only fall on government agencies like the IDA, but it should be shouldered by everyone especially the younger generation who needs to take step forward to help the elderly assimilate.

                                            References

Infocomm Usage - Households and Individuals. (2014). Retrieved from Infocomm Authority of Singapore: http://www.ida.gov.sg/Infocomm-Landscape/Facts-and-Figures/Infocomm-Usage-Households-and-Individuals#4

Silver Infocomm Junctions and Hotspots. (2014). Retrieved from Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore: http://www.ida.gov.sg/Collaboration-and-Initiatives/Initiatives/Store/Silver-Infocomm-Junctions-and-Hotspots

Paul, G., & Stegbauer, C. (2005, October 3). Is the digital divide between the young and the elderly increasing? First Monday. Retrieved from http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/1286/1206