Unique “Silver Citizen” class: U80 confidently surfs the internet, escapes scam traps

(Dan Tri) - A special class was opened for elderly men and women to be guided to confidently master technology, surf the internet, transfer money, and not be afraid of being scammed.

Leaving no one behind, free basic digital skills classes for seniors called “Silver Digital Citizens” are gradually narrowing the digital gap between generations, opening up a practical and meaningful community education model.

Elderly people are excited about "giving birth" with technology

On a weekend in July, at the neighborhood office in Tan Hung ward, Ho Chi Minh City, a free digital skills class for “Silver Digital Citizens” was filled with laughter.

This is one of three key contents of the “4D neighborhood” model implemented by the local government in conjunction with the “Silver Digital Citizen” project. The program is specifically designed for the elderly, helping them access technology in a simple, easy-to-understand and safe way in the digital age.

On the first day of school, the neighborhood office welcomed some special students. Gray hair, slow steps, carrying paper, pens, reading glasses, smartphones… eager to come to class.

Next to them, young volunteers enthusiastically support and guide them through small steps such as installing applications, using social networks or searching for information online.

Attending the class, Ms. Pham Quynh Anh (77 years old) and Ms. Nguyen Thi Hiep (76 years old) sat in the front row, attentively listening and helping each other study.

Ms. Quynh Anh shared that studying with a group of old friends is a great joy: “My sisters and I in the apartment building see this as a valuable opportunity. Now I want to learn more things like transferring money online, finding livestreams (watching online) of my favorite classes. Having a class like this to learn more makes me feel much more secure.”

Even though their fingers were shaking, the grandparents patiently learned each operation (Photo: Khanh Ly).

Not only is it fun to learn new things, "silver citizens" also find empathy and solutions to everyday concerns.

Ms. Thai Thi Anh Hong, a resident in the neighborhood, did not hesitate to share her difficulties and reasons for attending the class: "Normally I ask my child how to use the phone, but he already knows how to use it so quickly, I only know the basics so I cannot understand in time."

Another digital skills class at Nguyen An Ninh Digital Library (Ben Nghe Ward) recently was also very interesting for the elderly. In the strange yet exciting atmosphere, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai Xuan, one of the elderly students, could not hide her initial excitement.

“At first, I thought I couldn’t keep up,” she shared. But then, with the patience and step-by-step guidance of the volunteers, her trembling fingers gradually got used to the touch screen, her eyes squinting as she searched for information on the lines of text.

The initial nervousness was quickly replaced by overwhelming joy as Ms. Hoai Xuan and many other students gradually mastered the technology. She was able to make video calls to her children and grandchildren, read online newspapers, look up medical information...

The biggest barrier that makes many seniors afraid to learn technology is not the ability to absorb, but the fear of learning slowly, being afraid to ask questions or being afraid to make mistakes.

Realizing that, volunteers always strive to create a safe learning space, providing support from technical to spiritual.

Vuong Gia My (Tan Hung ward) is one of the volunteers of the "Silver Citizen" class. On the first day of school, My arrived very early, prepared tables and chairs, checked the connection and carefully opened each phone to help the teachers and uncles access the correct lesson.

Small in stature but always agile, with a gentle yet expressive voice, My is especially patient with older students who are not used to working.

My said that operating a smartphone is quite difficult for many older people. Therefore, volunteers must always try to find ways to give detailed and gentle instructions.

“I always think of my uncles and aunts as my grandparents and parents. So when I help, I put all my care and understanding into each step of the instructions,” Gia My shared.

Each successful operation, each video call connecting with distant relatives, or searching for health information online, all bring the elderly a sense of victory and the happiness of integration and discovery.

The bright eyes and satisfied smiles on their faces told everything about this meaningful journey, where technology is no longer a barrier but a bridge of love and knowledge.

More than digital skills: Open - connected - safe - confident

At the “Silver Digital Citizen” class, the elderly will be provided with practical learning content such as using smartphones, connecting with family via social networks, registering for online public services, learning about modern travel, entertainment, shopping, and health care applications, etc.

In particular, the project was born to help them enter the digital world confidently and safely. Here, they not only learn how to use technology, but also equip themselves with measures to protect themselves in cyberspace, detect scams, avoid fake news and enjoy utilities that they previously thought were too complicated.

Having attended this special class, there was an old man who was scammed out of 60 million VND, but thanks to attending the class, he knew to ask if this was a scam when receiving messages from strangers, and there was someone who took the bus for 2-3 hours just to sit and study for 2 hours.

The class also welcomes 80-year-olds who still come to class, and there are even couples who come to class together, holding hands and patiently showing each other information.

Classes bring joy and confidence to the elderly (Photo: Organizing Committee).

Born from the daily struggles of her own parents, the project "Silver Citizen" was founded by Master Phan Bao Thy, who witnessed her mother's confusion when she did not know how to enlarge the text on the phone screen and her father's loss of trust after an online purchase that was not as advertised, with the feeling that "it seemed like I was being cheated".

MSc. Bao Thy said that in response to the spirit of "Digital Literacy for the People" being implemented by the Party and the State, stemming from the concerns of the elderly and the personal desire to create a multi-generational community to support and take care of the elderly, the "Silver Digital Citizen" project has been implementing digital skills classes specifically for the elderly in Ho Chi Minh City.

The classes are organized into Tech Station models (for the elderly who register to visit, such as at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street), "Popular Education Classes" in coordination with the neighborhood, apartment management board and local authorities such as in Cat Lai and Tan Hung wards, and family class groups coordinated by elderly students.

This is not just about organizing digital skills classes but also building an open, friendly and understanding learning environment specifically for older people.

For Ms. Bao Thy, the “Silver Citizen” classes are a place to show sincere love to her loved ones. She hopes that in this class, there will always be joy and happiness with love and patience, so that no one is left behind in the digital world.

The class is held periodically 6 sessions/basic course, opening weekly in many residential communities, activity centers and is supported by a team of young, enthusiastic volunteers who are periodically trained.

In addition to direct classes, the program also built its own website for students to conveniently follow information. Seniors who want to study at an advanced level can also register by topic.

In addition, the project also maintains community activities such as student experience sharing groups, online learning support groups and inspirational events to connect like-minded seniors.

The spirit of “never-ending learning” has become the motivation for many grandparents, aunts and uncles to overcome their own limits and become positive role models in their families and society.

In the future, the program plans to connect with universities and organizations to spread this model to many residential areas nationwide.

Classes are held periodically 6 sessions/basic course, opening weekly in many residential communities and activity centers.

Mr. Le Duc Dat, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Secretary of the Tan Hung Ward Youth Union, said that the digital skills class with "Silver Digital Citizens" organized in Tan Hung Ward is an activity of the Front Work Committee of Wards 3 and 8, Youth Union branches and Youth Union branches of Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 in the ward in coordination with organizing units.

“This is a very meaningful project because the elderly often have difficulty using technology, especially in the digital age, when technology develops very quickly. The class will further support the elderly in digital transformation and fraud identification,” Mr. Dat shared.

In the classroom, Tan Hung Ward Youth Union also coordinated to deploy a digital transformation communication team to promote youth union members in the ward to support and guide people to install the application "Tan Hung Ward Virtual Assistant" built on the ChatGPT platform.

The application helps people easily look up administrative procedure information, get answers to questions and instructions on preparing documents quickly, while promoting propaganda about the arrangement of administrative units in the area.

Huyen Nguyen & Khanh Ly

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/lop-hoc-cong-dan-so-bac-doc-dao-u80-tu-tin-luot-mang-thoat-bay-lua-dao-20250727202245869.htm