The Seniors Go Digital programme has made good progress, with more than 16,000 seniors benefitting from the programme since it was launched in May 2020.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (“IMDA”) launched the Seniors Go Digital programme to help seniors embrace digitalization so that they can lead more engaged, informed and fulfilling lives. IMDA and the SG Digital Office (“SDO”) are on track to reach out to and raise the skills of 100,000 seniors by Mar 2021.
Through one-on-one help and small group learning sessions at the more than 30 SG Digital community hubs islandwide, SDO’s Digital Ambassadors have helped seniors pick up skills such as using smartphones to communicate online and access government digital services.
95% of the seniors who received training were satisfied with the sessions, and about 80%1 continued to apply the digital skills they have picked up in their everyday lives.
More support for seniors efforts to go digital
To further support seniors in their digital learning, IMDA and SDO will be introducing e-Payment Learning Journeys for seniors. This thematic learning journey helps seniors who are keen to learn how to use e-payments in a more enjoyable and engaging way, via live demonstrations and hands-on experiences. IMDA has also collaborated with corporate partners to roll out the Supermarket Learning Journey, to guide seniors in using commercial apps such as the FairPrice app to make purchases in NTUC FairPrice stores. These skills complement the growing number of hawker stalls that have adopted e-payment capabilities to improve productivity and competitiveness.
To encourage seniors to continue their learning journey and better keep track of their progress, each senior will receive a Seniors Go Digital Activity Pack for them to collect stamps to redeem for prizes by completing the learning activities. Stamps can be used to redeem prizes such as cooler bags, mugs and reusable containers.
In addition, IMDA’s Mobile Access for Seniors scheme for low income seniors, which was rolled out to complement the Seniors Go Digital programme, has benefitted more than 800 low income seniors with smartphones and data plans. IMDA is also working with partners like the Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centre Community Services Ltd (AMKFSC) and the Youth Corps Singapore, to provide the smartphones and to guide these seniors through a four-week programme to pick up digital skills so that they can use their smartphones meaningfully.
Other resources
Annex A: Seniors Go Digital Programme Factsheet (428.55KB)
[1]100 participants randomly selected from seniors who had completed training at SDO in July
ISSUED BY THE INFO-COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE SG DIGITAL OFFICE
About Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA)
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation with infocomm media. To do this, IMDA will develop a dynamic digital economy and a cohesive digital society, driven by an exceptional infocomm media (ICM) ecosystem – by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore’s ICM infrastructure. IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment, and enhances Singapore’s data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission. For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on Facebook IMDAsg and Twitter @IMDAsg.
About the Singapore Digital Office (SDO)
The Singapore Digital Office (SDO), established under the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), drives our concerted nationwide movement to accelerate digital adoption in our community. To achieve this, SDO will work with like-minded members of the community, corporate entities and individuals to reach out to every citizen, worker and business, to equip them with the digital tools and skills to participate meaningfully in the evolving social and economic environment. Through this whole-of-nation movement, we will ensure every Singaporean has a place in our shared digital future. For more information, visit www.sdo.gov.sg or follow SDO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
