65% of Elderly Struggle Daily with Digital Skills Gap

Addressing the Digital Divide: A Guide for the Elderly

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, many elderly individuals find themselves struggling to keep up with the technological advancements that seem second nature to younger generations. To address this growing challenge, the Chungnam Provincial Office of Education, in collaboration with the Chungcheongnam-do Literacy Education Center and Lotte GRS, has published a guidebook titled “Unmanned Ordering Machine Guidebook.” This resource aims to help seniors navigate digital devices such as kiosks with greater ease.

The guidebook includes detailed instructions on how to use these machines properly. For instance, it advises users not to remove the card too early, to insert the card with the IC chip facing up, and to remain calm if the screen resets after some time. It encourages users to start over slowly from the beginning if they encounter difficulties. These simple yet crucial steps are designed to reduce frustration and enhance the user experience for older adults.

A recent survey conducted by HP Korea highlighted the significant challenges faced by the elderly in adapting to digital technology. The survey, which targeted 1,000 residents in the capital region—600 aged 20–59 and 400 aged 60–79—revealed that 65% of elderly respondents reported experiencing inconvenience in daily life due to inadequate digital skills. This figure is five times higher than the 13% reported by those aged 20–59. These statistics underscore the urgent need for initiatives that support digital literacy among the elderly.

The difficulty older adults face in adapting to new technologies is not unique to any particular culture or time period. However, the speed at which technology is advancing has created a more pronounced generational gap. Humans often feel alienated when confronted with rapid changes in their environment. This phenomenon can be observed in various aspects of life, including military service.

During my military service, a regimental commander once shared an insightful perspective during a lecture. He noted that the military life of today’s personnel is far more challenging than his own during the early 1980s. His point was not about the intensity of training or harassment levels but rather the technological gap between military and civilian life. While civilians freely use PCs and smartphones, soldiers have limited access to such technologies. Although disparities existed in the past, they were never as dramatic as they are today. The widening gap in accessible technology makes military service more difficult for today's personnel.

This situation mirrors the challenges faced by the elderly. The sheer number of technologies they encounter in daily life is overwhelming, making it difficult for them to master these tools with the same proficiency as younger generations. As a result, older adults often feel psychologically constrained and marginalized. In response to this issue, the National Human Rights Commission recommended in February last year that the Minister of Science and ICT implement senior-friendly education programs, support the development and distribution of digital devices, guarantee analog access rights, and establish help desks to prevent the exclusion of digitally inexperienced elderly individuals.

According to the “2024 Population and Housing Census” released by Statistics Korea in July, individuals aged 65 and older accounted for 19.5% of the total population. In a country where many elderly feel alienated due to their inability to keep pace with modern technology, achieving healthy societal growth becomes increasingly challenging. While technological advancement is undeniably important, the support and consideration for those left behind must never be overlooked.