Chinese seniors well-adapted to cyber world

As the internet is more popularized and elderly-oriented, seniors in China are adapting better to the net world. In online short video platforms, videos teaching tips for life, funny stuff and life record are popular among the seniors.

Many bloggers have won a large number of senior followers as they provide science knowledge and life guidance according to the hobbies of the senior, such as chess, card games, operas, fishing skill, and square dance.

Up to Mar. 10, 2023, videos under the hashtag “elderly dance” have been viewed by 170 million, more than 53.401 million viewed the “articles for the elderly” topic, and 30.099 million played “the health of the elderly”.

“My parents are more than 70 years old now. My dad listens to operas and practices calligraphy with his mobile phone while my mom learns to cook,” said online nick named netizen Da Wobo.

The 51st Statistical Report on the Development of the Internet in China, recently released by the China Internet Network Information Center, shows that the size of China's Internet users reached 1.067 billion, with the proportion of those aged 50 and above rising to 30.8% in December 2022.

To allow more seniors enjoy the convenience brought by Internet, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has launched a nationwide special action on transformation of Internet applications to uplift its accessibility and to make it more elderly-oriented.
The action is based on the usage habits and needs of the elderly, focusing on guiding Internet websites and mobile apps related to the lives of the elderly to transform.To achieve breakthroughs, the apps focus onthe frequent happenings in lives of the elderly. And now, active results can be seen.

Switching into the mode for seniors on the phone, the elderly can see larger characters, pictures and symbols on the screen. Moreover, the pages and functions are simpler for them to use.

When using Easy Mode on WeChat, the elderly can change the text message into voice message with only one tap. The Meituan App simplified its program by cutting out those functions not needed for the elderly, leaving only the functions of ordering take-out, booking hotel, hailing taxi and riding shared bikes.

The 12306 app for train ticket booking also created the elderly-oriented version which has all the advantages mentioned and also allows the elderly to book tickets by phone call.

IT insiders believe that the transformation is still at a beginning stage. The transformation of digital technologies shall provide better and more comprehensive service to its senior users not just simply enlarging the characters and cutting out functions.

Source: People’s Daily; trans-editing by Wang Yunya