Mobile phones and the internet bring a lot of benefits to people nowadays. However, the old people use them the least. In what aspect do mobile phones and the internet benefit old people? How can we encourage old people to use them?
Nowadays, mobile phones and the internet have become integral to daily life, yet they remain underused by senior citizens. These technologies can bring remarkable benefits to older people, and targeted measures can help them embrace these digital tools.
For elderly people, the most prominent benefit of mobile internet is maintaining social connections and accessing convenient daily services. Many seniors live apart from their children who work in other cities, and free video call functions let them communicate with family members face-to-face anytime, eliminating the loneliness of empty-nest life. For example, my 72-year-old grandmother uses WeChat video calls to talk to my cousin studying abroad every weekend, which greatly reduces her longing for him. Besides, these tools allow seniors to access public services without going out: they can make hospital appointments online, pay utility bills via mobile payment, and order groceries or medicine to their door, which is especially friendly to those with limited mobility.
There are two effective ways to encourage older people to use these technologies. First, tech companies should develop age-friendly digital products, such as simplified interfaces with larger fonts, louder volume, and one-step operation for common functions, removing technical barriers. For instance, many smartphones now have a built-in "senior mode" that hides complex functions and only keeps commonly used apps like calls, messages, and video calls, which is widely welcomed by elderly users. Second, family members and communities should provide patient guidance: young people can teach their elderly relatives basic operations step by step in daily life, and communities can hold regular free digital training workshops for seniors, helping them solve practical problems they encounter when using mobile phones and the internet.
In conclusion, mobile internet brings seniors closer to their families and makes daily life more convenient. With age-friendly product design and patient guidance from people around them, more elderly people will be able to enjoy the convenience brought by digital technologies.