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Hong Kong Nurtures Elderly Web Designers
The Economic Times
July 12, 2004
HONG KONG: "Hi! Everyone, My name is Au Yuen-han. I'm a student of a computer class for the elderly. I would like to share with you my interest and unforgettable memories through the web."
Her message is just one from Senior Web, a website set up in Hong Kong by Cyber Senior Network Development Association Ltd in 2001, Xinhua reports. Here, one can browse through the personal websites designed by the elderly, who talk about their daily life. Some even post their photographic masterpieces on the web.
The portal has opened up a new channel for old people here to express themselves. The web provides elderly users with the rudiments of using the Internet as well as a variety of information and services on the net. Cyber Senior Network Development Association Ltd has set up a computer-learning centre in Kwun Tong here to facilitate elderly learners, who come together to share their learning progress.
Learners can also update their computer knowledge by taking courses offered by the centre from time to time.
Members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, responsible for elderly people's welfare, said learning Internet can also enhance their psychological health.
It is believed that knowing how to use the computer can make elderly people feel they can catch up with the trend of the society. It helps old people who live alone to keep in touch with their children who have either moved out or emigrated overseas - through e-mail or web-camera.
Elderly computer users can widen their social circles and scopes of interest through the Internet. They can also upload or download pictures from the web and produce their own CD, which is generally thought as the 'patent' of young people.
However, it is not easy for old people to take the first step of computer learning due to their relatively low literacy level. "Quite a number of the old people in my class did not receive proper education earlier, some are even illiterate which made it hard for them to catch up with the progress," said Bena Chan, a tutor of a elderly computer class organised by Hong Kong Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
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