The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Friday that more than 300,000 people would be educated this year through its "digital guide" initiative — a program aimed at assisting older adults and other individuals who have difficulty navigating digital devices and services.
Since the program’s launch in the second half of 2022, a total of 690 digital guides have helped over 560,000 older adults overcome their fear of using digital kiosks.
“In an era where artificial intelligence is transforming our world, ensuring that everyone fully benefits from digital advancements is crucial,” said Mayor Oh Se-hoon during Friday’s kick-off ceremony.
“I look forward to seeing digital guides play an active role in preventing citizens unfamiliar with technology from being left behind.”
For the first half of this year, 125 individuals have been selected as digital guides in the program's 6th run. The youngest participant is 23 years old, while the oldest is 79 years old.
The guides work from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays across 250 locations, including major subway stations, welfare facilities and parks, where digital accessibility support is most needed.
They will assist with tasks such as booking train tickets, navigating maps, hailing taxis, using apps and kiosks, and using social media platforms.
They work in teams of two or three and are easy to spot thanks to their signature orange vests.
According to city government data, more than 90 percent of those who received assistance through this program were aged 60 and above, followed by 50 percent in their 70s, 21 percent in their 80s, and 20 percent in their 60s.
The majority of services were provided at subway stations and welfare facilities such as government offices, which accounted for 39 percent and 33 percent respectively.
ddd@heraldcorp.com
