Digital exclusion refers to the section of society who don’t have access to the equipment or means to access a technology which would enable them to fully participate in society. Research by the Centre for Aging Better emphasized the significant digital divide among 50–70-year-olds and how this has worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic.We believe the below tips can help us to combat this, ensuring our clients and patients can begin to be reintegrated in this technological era.
1. Awareness and Education: Raise awareness about the importance of digital skills and the opportunities online services can offer for older people. Provide educational materials to teach digital skills and promote digital inclusion.
2. Digital Inclusion Partnerships: Encourage partnerships among local governments, digital service providers, schools, libraries, and community groups to work together to promote digital inclusion.
3. Specialized Online Services: Create online services tailored to older people’s needs, such as video tutorials, online forums, and digital health services.
4. Access to Technology: Provide computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones to older people to ensure that they are able to access online services.
5. Digital Mentorship: Establish programs to match older people with digital mentors who can help them learn how to use their devices and navigate digital services.
6. Digital Device Demonstration Centers: Put in place centers where people can go to get help using their digital devices.
7. In-person Trainings and Workshops: Develop in-person technology classes and provide one-on-one mentorship for older people.