South Korea’s ‘grey digital divide’ leaves seniors pleading for help

In South Korea, a stark digital divide exists between seniors and younger generations, leaving older citizens struggling to navigate the modern world. Age-related digital literacy gaps are a global issue, but the disparity has grown dramatically in this hyper-connected, rapidly aging nation. The government has launched campaigns to bridge this so-called "grey digital divide."

Hwang Sun-hee, an 79-year-old woman, recently found success during a government-sponsored digital training session. She managed to place an online order, a feat she deemed "too much" for older individuals. At a senior community center in Suwon, south of Seoul, Hwang and others participated in training sessions aimed at teaching seniors how to use smartphones and other digital devices.

Despite nearly 90% of taxi drivers using ride-hailing apps, more than 80% of South Koreans over 60 still hail cabs by hand. A 71-year-old retiree, Park, recounted spending over 30 minutes attempting to flag down a taxi in a busy Seoul street. The taxis consistently passed him, picking up younger riders who utilized smartphone apps to request rides.

Experts warn that the digital divide can pose serious threats, such as increased vulnerability to online scams and limited access to medical services. A state survey revealed that 60% of South Koreans over 60 struggle with using public and commercial services due to a lack of digital skills, compared to just 6% of those under 40.

Kim Jeung-kun, a professor of senior business at Kangnam University in Seoul, noted that the intergenerational digital divide in South Korea is wider than elsewhere. The nation's intensely compressed industrialization happened in just a few decades, while it took centuries in many Western countries. South Korea, once with a GDP per capita below US$100, is now the world's 15th largest economy.

The older population in South Korea is massive, constituting over 20% of the UN-designated "super-aged society." In response, South Korea initiated public tech training for the elderly in 2020, as businesses and services shifted online during the Covid-19 lockdown. The nationwide training program, which began in 2020, involves vans equipped with devices and mock kiosks that travel to community centers and regional festivals popular among the elderly. By 2025, over 65,000 sessions had been held for approximately 650,000 individuals over 60.

While Hwang Sun-hee's confidence has improved through training, she remains envious of young people who effortlessly utilize digital technology. She expressed a longing to have been born in today's world, emphasizing the significant challenges faced by older generations in adapting to the digital age.