Over 210,000 seniors join digital literacy program, says Minister

SINGAPORE: More than 210,000 seniors have joined a program to improve digital literacy since 2020, said the Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo on Wednesday. She was responding to a question by MP Lim Biow Chuan PAP-Mountbatten about how the Government helps residents who don't have email.

She said that there could be cybersecurity tips on how to stay safe online, as well as how to use a smartphone or make e-payments.

Many agencies also provide in-person and contact centre services to help those who might have difficulty with online government services, said Mrs Teo.

The Public Service has set up five ServiceSG centres to serve as one-stop physical touchpoints where officers can guide residents through digital transactions and help them complete frequently used government services across 20 agencies, she added.

The use of digital communication channels has increased, and the Government's offline channels remain critical for communicating with residents who are less digitally savvy, said Mrs Teo.

She said that many government agencies inform residents of key policy announcements through hardcopy letters, via the digital display panels in HDB blocks, and even through house visits, as well as in the case of newspaper publications and broadcasts via free-to-air television and radio.

The Silver Generation Office is able to reach out to residents to communicate government policies and guide seniors in applying for digital assistance schemes online.

She said that the Government will continue to ensure that citizens can communicate and transact with the Government regardless of their digital ability, even as more services digitalise.