Bridging the Grey Digital Divide as a Key to Social Participation in the Digital Age – Evidence from Belgian Ageing Studies and Thai Schools for Older Persons

Thet Htoo Pan, Myat Yadana Kyaw, Jorrit Campens, Suthida Konglertmongkol,  Myo Nyein Aung and Nico De Witte

Report in Japanese  Report in Thai  Report in Spanish 

Digitally Inclusive Healthy Ageing Communities (DIHAC) is a cross-cultural study primarily based on Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand, further expanding to India. Having internet access has become a fundamental human right rather than a privilege. Therefore, we need to ensure that older adults are digitally included. The 24^th DIHAC cross-cultural exchange meeting delves into two sections: (1) the current situation of grey digital divide and the extent of digital inclusion in Belgian older adults (2) Thailand efforts in translating policies to foster digitally inclusive healthy ageing communities.

Dr. Myo Nyein Aung, Principal investigator of DIHAC study and Associate Professor at Department of Global Health Research, Juntendo University initiated the meeting by ice-breaking socializing. We are honored to have Professor Nico De Witte, Ph.D., Professor, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), co-founder of the Belgian Ageing Studies, Belgium as the chairperson of the 24^th DIHAC meeting. In the opening speech, Professor De Witte described the challenges of population ageing such as the scarcity of formal and informal caregivers, social inclusion, ageism, and healthcare needs. It is therefore important for multidisciplinary experts from different countries to join forces, as in the DIHAC meetings, to tackle these challenges. More than 50 participants including researchers in global health and public health, faculties from universities, UN agency (ITU), clinicians, government officials, community stakeholders, and graduate students from Asia, Europe and Africa attended the meeting.

Figure: Chairperson Professor De Witte, speakers, international audience and DIHAC study team at the 24th DIHAC meeting

Inequalities in Internet Use among Older Adults: Insights from 18 years of Belgian Ageing Studies Research

The first speaker, drs. Jorrit Campens, MSc, PhD, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, presented the results from 18 years of Belgian Ageing Studies research on the inequalities in internet use among older adults (1), who make up 30 % of total population in Belgium. The longitudinal study is ongoing and has been conducted in 3 waves: 1st wave (2004-2009), 2nd (2010-2015) and 3rd (2016-2021). The study involved over 90,000 community dwelling older adults since 2004. Results revealed internet use has increased from 20% in 2004 to 70% in 2021, though 30% older adults remain offline. The device ownership status in 2021 was 60%, with many accessing the internet from public places such as public libraries. Socially disadvantaged groups such as women, being over 70, having lower education and income, and being widowed, were less likely to engage with digital technologies. Further interaction analysis indicated those over 80 years old with lower level of education were more likely to be digitally excluded.

The studies delved deeper into the internet activities, identifying three user types: basic, selective and allrounders. Basic users mainly search for information and send emails. Selective users further contact family members and use online banking. In addition to all those activities, allrounders engage diversely: using social media (SNS), e-government services, and online shopping. Only 24.9% were allrounders and they were more likely to be men, young-old, higher income and higher education status. There were diversities in internet use and the usage gap (second level digital divide) may reinforce existing inequalities. Moreover, Covid-19 on digital inclusion found that 2 in 1 older adult used video-calling and women, young-old, those without financial impact due to Covid and those living with partners or family were more likely to use the video-calling.

• There are persisting inequalities in internet access and usage among the Belgian older adults

• It is important to empower socially disadvantaged groups especially women with lower education to be digitally included

• The COVID-19 accelerates digital engagement among the older adults and shows older adults are able to boost their digital skills. Digital literacy training programs can bridge the grey digital divide.

In the discussion session, participants dived into various insights gained from the research presentation. Some important point included the security concern of accessing internet for emails and other activities from public internet facilities, the advantages of peer learning of digital skills and the need of overview of implementing digital literacy promotion programs to provide older adults a more tailored and need-based approach for digital inclusion.

The Implementation of Ageing Policies and Schools for Older Persons in Thailand

The second speaker is Ms. Suthida Konglertmongkol, MSc, Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Thailand. She has represented Thailand several times in international organizations, with recent activity in ESCAP regional meeting on digital technology for healthy ageing. In the 24^th DIHAC meeting, Ms. Suthida explained the implementation of ageing policies and establishment of Schools for Older Persons in Thailand. Thailand will become a super-aged society in 2036. Recognizing the importance of this demographic transition, Thailand has implemented a National Action Plan for Older Persons, currently in Phase 3 (2023-2037) through multi-level steering mechanism. The National Commission
on Older Persons (NCOP) and various provincial and community-level organizations support this initiative such as Social Welfare Development Centers for Older Persons (SWDCOPs). At the community levels, more than 2,000 Centers for Quality-of-Life Development and Career Promotion for Older Persons, more than 3,000 Schools for older persons, nearly 56,000 of community health volunteers, and over 29,000 older people clubs were developed as of June 2024.

The School for Older Persons is a care model for promoting lifelong learning for older people and a platform for social participation and contribution to society. Currently, there are over 3000 schools, and 200,000 students enrolled in Thailand. The schools promote lifelong learning, social participation, and economic productivity. The schools collaborate with multiple sectors including provincial social development offices, religious leaders, senior clubs and local administrative organizations, academics and private sectors. In terms of the management of the schools, the working committee is formed through an elected representative and participatory approach. Instructors include older people themselves who accomplished the school programs. Monthly meetings act as a platform for coordination between students (older adults) and management committees to enforce operation, maintain decision making and foster ownership among older adults. The classrooms offer a wide range of activities from occupational training, exercises, social and cultural activities, singing, to outdoor activities such as volunteering and field trips. The digital training programs teach older people how to use a smartphone including cybersecurity measures against electronic frauds. Challenges include management inexperience, budget constraints, and understanding older adults’ needs. Success factors include community leaders as change agents, sustainable activities, participatory approaches, and strong networks.

• There are more than 3000 Schools for Older Persons across the country.

• Schools for Older Persons foster social and digital inclusion towards healthy ageing, enables older persons to age in grace.

• Collaborating between the ministries, local municipalities, academics, public and private sectors with participatory approach are keys to translate policy into practice.

The discussion sections highlighted several intriguing points regarding participatory approach, digital training, challenges of the Ministries. Feedback and surveys are regularly conducted to ensure that older people are enjoying the school programs. The digital training programs were developed by collective efforts of ministry, universities and private sector and updated regularly to keep up with changing trend of digital technology and also to match needs of older adults. For the specific support, there is a need of digital innovation in ageing care and a digital technology as a platform or tool to empower the older people socially, economically and in health aspects. Collaborative research or projects will bring about a holistic answer for the right protection and empowerment of older adults in digital era.

At the end of presentations, Professor De Witte summarized the salient points of fruitful discussions. The first presentation touched on the digital gap among older adults in the community and informed the evidence into policy practice. Meanwhile, the second presentation covers the efforts to translate policy into practice in the community. The 24th DIHAC meeting has brought together academics, community stakeholders and policy makers to create a digitally inclusive healthy ageing communities. From different perspectives, we have learned the need of tailored innovations for older adults in order for them to participate in society.  It is crucial to hear the voices of older adults and involve them in planning, designing and implementing technology and innovations.

As the last part of the meeting, PI Dr. Myo announced the opening call for Special Issue on Empowering Healthy Aging through Internet Environments in Cross-cultural Context in Journal of Aging and Environment in which he and Professor De Witte will be editors and encouraged the participants to submit their interesting research findings. The next meeting is expected to be held in October 2024.

References

1. Campens, J.V., Anina ; Schirmer, Werner ; De Witte, Nico., Inequalities in internet use among older people between 2004 and 2021: Examining the cumulative impact of sociodemographic characteristics on internet non-use. Journal of Digital Social Research, 2024. 6(3).

Authors

Thet Htoo Pan, M.D., is Ph.D. student at the Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan

Myat Yanada Kyaw, M.D., is Ph.D. student at the Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.

Jorrit Campens, M.Sc., is Ph.D. student at Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Belgian Ageing Studies, Belgium

Suthida Konglertmongkol, M.Sc., is at Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Thailand

Myo Nyein Aung, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D., is Associate Professor at the Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan

Nico De Witte, Ph.D., is Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), and co-founder of the Belgian Ageing Studies, Belgium.