Shanmugam: Both government and private sector need to help seniors get up to speed with digital experience

SINGAPORE — With the society undergoing rapid digitalisation, the government as well as the private sector need to help the senior residents in Singapore get up to speed with the digital experience, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Saturday (6 April).

Speaking at the "Shopee Empowers Seniors" community event at the Chong Pang 165 Hard Court, he added that as Singapore's society is aging, there are many aspects which seniors need help, such as in healthcare and among their neighbourhoods.

"Societies are going digital, and seniors didn't grow up with digitalisation, so we have to help them," said Shanmugam, who is a Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC and grassroots adviser to Chong Pang Grassroots Organisations (GROs).

"There are also issues with scams, so we need to explain to seniors on how to protect themselves online. With the combined effort of the grassroots, corporate partners and government agencies, we can support our seniors to feel empowered and confident in the digital space."

Seniors learn how to use Shopee app

The "Shopee Empowers Seniors" event, jointly organised by e-commerce platform Shopee and Chong Pang GROs, offered over 500 senior residents the chance to pick up new digital literacy skills.

There were interactive stations to educate the seniors on safely and securely navigating digital transactions online, as they received personalised guidance on downloading the Shopee app and making e-commerce purchases. The seniors also tried their hand at a few of Shopee's in-app games at the interactive booths at the event.

"Using apps and shopping online may seem easy for many of us. However, we have often heard feedback from seniors that while they are interested in e-commerce, they do not know how to shop online, or they are worried about online safety," said Shopee Singapore director Chua Kel Jin.

"Today’s event is our effort in reaching out to seniors so that they can be included in enjoying the benefits and convenience of e-commerce."

Speed of adopting technology different across demographics

Singapore has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world and among the highest internet penetration rates. Yet, the speed of adopting and use of technology is not the same across all demographics in Singapore.

"The Clicks and Shifts", a recent study commissioned by Yahoo Singapore and conducted by Milieu Insight in February 2024, examined the habits and perspectives of 1,500 users. For example, it found that 43 per cent of the respondents do not use mobile apps or e-wallets for commuting payments, as they still prefer using physical payment cards.

Transport analysts told Yahoo that commuters, particularly those in their 50s, still prefer using physical cards due to deeply-ingrained behavioural experiences. This preference stems from decades of habit, rather than a lack of technological awareness.

The study also found that those with higher household incomes tend to use mobile apps and digital services more often. Households with lower incomes - especially those whose members are seniors - use mobile apps and digital services far less frequently, prioritising day-to-day necessities over non-essential apps.

Nonetheless, the inaugural Singapore Digital Society Report, published by the Infocomm Media Development Authority in November 2023, showed that seniors were becoming comfortable with online transactions – with 78 per cent using e-payments in 2022, up from 33 per cent in 2020. They also went online to search for information – with 86 per cent doing so in 2022, compared with 53 per cent in 2020.

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