Digital Marginalization of the Elderly: Bridging the Gap with Innovative Solutions

The digital age has transformed the way people interact with the world, but older adults are being left behind. The issue of digital marginalization among the elderly is prevalent in many countries worldwide, including Germany, Japan, and South Korea. This marginalization is characterized by factors such as age, gender, education, and income level. These factors contribute to an information gap, which can further isolate older adults from society.

According to a report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 17.1% of individuals aged 65 years and older use the internet globally, compared to 74.5% of individuals aged 15-24. This significant gap in internet usage is alarming and contributes to the social isolation and marginalization of older adults.

To address this issue, it is crucial to strengthen the informatization capabilities of the elderly through tailored education, human resource support, health and welfare services, an environment for the use of information devices, and age-friendly information devices.
Several policy directions have been proposed to address the digital marginalization of the elderly. However, traditional classroom-based education on digital technology has not been effective in stimulating the desire for digital learning among the elderly. In response, innovative solutions such as the Jung-gu's "I Say You" campaign in Busan, Korea have emerged.

The campaign, launched by the Senior Welfare Center in Jung-gu trains seniors over the age of 60 to explore Busan tourist areas, shoot and produce videos, and create and upload social networking services (SNS) content. This approach stimulates and promotes the desire for digital learning among the elderly and is more effective than traditional classroom-based education.

The Jung-gu Senior Welfare Center's "I Say You" campaign aims to enhance the digital literacy of the elderly while promoting tourism in Busan. The center trains seniors over the age of 60 to explore Busan tourist areas, shoot and produce videos, and create and upload content on social networking services (SNS). These videos showcase tourist destinations in Jung-gu and are promoted on SNS platforms. The campaign not only promotes tourism but also enhances the digital literacy and social connectivity of the elderly, bridging the digital divide.

The success of the "I Say You" campaign highlights how innovative solutions to the digital marginalization of the elderly can be effective and beneficial for both the elderly and the local tourism industry. By bridging the digital divide and promoting tourism, the campaign provides older adults with a sense of purpose and social connection while boosting the local economy.

The "I Say You" campaign serves as an excellent example of how digital education for the elderly and promoting tourism can create a win-win situation. By enhancing the digital literacy of the elderly and promoting tourism, the campaign benefits both the elderly and the local tourism industry. This innovative solution has the potential to be replicated in other districts facing the problem of digital marginalization among the elderly.

Innovative solutions such as the "I Say You" campaign in Busan, have emerged to address the problem of digital marginalization of the elderly. By providing tailored education and stimulating the desire for digital learning among the elderly, this campaign has not only bridged the digital divide but also promoted tourism, enhanced social connectivity, and provided older adults with a sense of purpose. This innovative solution has the potential to be replicated in other districts facing the same issue, creating a win-win situation for both the elderly and the local tourism industry.