The Internet can have a very positive impact on the lives of older adults—providing them with an opportunity to feel connected, reach out to family and friends, and at the same time learn some new technical skills. Unfortunately factors such as the fear of technology and accessibility issues are keeping the 50+ population among the lowest users of computers and the Internet. Efforts are being made around the world to build a more digitally inclusive society and we were pleased to learn about two unique programs in China that encourage and sup-port older people in using the Internet.

In Hong Kong, SAR, the Cyber Senior Network Development Association—a charity with the mission of making the older population a part of the ‘e’ world—has developed blogging courses that offer older adults a supportive social framework. The primary goal of the Cyber Senior Network Development Association is to encourage and enable seniors to use information technology, and promote an understanding that older citizens have the right, need and ability to use information technology. Since the program was launched, the association is proud to have taught over 10,000 people aged 50 and over—including certain individuals aged 90+. They have offered courses on how to use computers and the Internet and send out younger volunteers, called ‘e-angels’, and tutors to senior citizens’ residences.

The charity began running its senior bloggers’ classes in March 2006 thanks to financial support from the government. In October 2006, the association launched a site entitled www.hkmemories.com which hosts the blogs of its successful students. The site has proven quite popular, receiving over 3,000 visitors from October through November 2006.

According to Peggy Ko, the association’s executive secretary, “Many didn’t even know what a blog was before they started the course…Some were shy and unwilling to share their stories at first, while others thought that they didn’t have a story to tell…I have been very impressed by the blogs produced.” These courses have proven successful with participants expressing a keen desire to learn more—some asking how to do more complicated tasks such as adding music to their blogs. For these newly web savvy seniors, learning how to blog has also opened a door to a new way to communicate and keep in touch with friends and family.

For more information, visit: www.ho-sum.org/eng/charity/detail.jsp?charity_id=cs0019.

In Shanghai, the non-governmental organization Shanghai Internet Services Association hosted a web page design contest exclusively for people 50+, attracting more than 5,000 participants. The contest, which came to a close on November 25, 2006, aimed to promote senior citizens’ under-standing of the Internet. Finalists will receive free training on web page design and the eldest participant will be awarded an honorary title of “The Most Senior Participant.”

China has approximately 30 million personal web pages. According to Ma Haitao, executive vice secretary general of the Shanghai Internet Services Association, “the Chinese city of Shanghai has a population of 17 mil-lion with 2.6 million people above the age of 60.” The integration of senior citizens into the web-literate Chinese population, like we see in this web page designing contest, holds much promise for the lives of older people. These opportunities allow for the breaking down of barriers between generations, adding value and fulfillment across the entire lifespan.

Senior citizens have a great deal to teach younger generations. By making their own web pages filled with personal narrative con-tent, the older adults are reintegrating them-selves into society and imparting priceless advice. In addition, utilizing the Internet to make web pages opens up opportunities to keep connected with family and friends and perhaps reconnect with long-lost childhood friends.

For more information, visit:
 http://english.sina.com/china/1/2006/1010/91424.html.