South Korea is intensifying efforts to help older citizens navigate an increasingly digital society, as a widening gap in digital literacy leaves many seniors struggling with everyday tasks that have shifted from physical counters to smartphones, websites and self-service kiosks. The challenge is particularly significant in a country known for its highly connected population, advanced technology industries and rapid ageing. At a government-organised digital training session at a senior community centre in Suwon, south of Seoul, 79-year-old Hwang Sun-hee received a small cheer after successfully placing an online order, illustrating the importance of seemingly simple digital tasks for older people.

Hwang said the growing dependence on technology has made daily life increasingly difficult for people of her generation. “You can't do anything without smartphone apps or a kiosk machine... It's too much for old folks,” she said during the training session. Her comments reflect a wider concern over what is often described as the “grey digital divide” — the gap between older people and younger generations in access to and familiarity with digital technology. While digital services can make transactions faster and more convenient, seniors who are less familiar with smartphones, applications and automated systems can find themselves excluded from activities that have become routine for others.

The issue has become particularly visible in South Korea, a country of about 52 million people that is home to world-leading smartphone and memory chipmakers. Digital technology has become deeply embedded in many aspects of daily life, with businesses and public services increasingly relying on online platforms, mobile applications and automated machines. At the same time, the country's ageing population means that a growing number of citizens must adapt to systems that were not part of their everyday lives when they were younger. For seniors, the difficulty is not necessarily a lack of willingness to learn, but the speed at which familiar face-to-face services are being replaced by digital alternatives.

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The divide has produced striking examples of older people struggling with services that once required little technological knowledge. Last year, several baseball clubs began reserving a small number of tickets for on-site sales following reports that older fans, carrying cash, approached younger people at stadiums and asked them to purchase tickets from machines. The incidents highlighted how digital-only or predominantly digital systems can create barriers even in recreational activities. For an older baseball fan who is accustomed to buying a ticket directly from a person, navigating a touchscreen machine, selecting seats and completing a digital transaction can become an obstacle rather than a convenience.

South Korean authorities have responded with campaigns and training programmes designed to help seniors develop the skills needed to function in an increasingly digital environment. Community-based sessions such as the one attended by Hwang allow older residents to practise practical tasks rather than simply learn about technology in theory. Ordering products online, operating kiosks and using smartphone applications are examples of skills that can make a direct difference to a person's independence. Such training can also help reduce anxiety among seniors who may hesitate to use unfamiliar technology because of concerns about making mistakes or being unable to complete a transaction.

The experience in South Korea reflects a broader global challenge as societies become more dependent on digital services while their populations age. Bridging the divide requires more than encouraging older people to adopt new technology; it also involves ensuring that digital systems remain accessible and that alternatives are available for those who need assistance. For South Korea, the effort has become increasingly urgent as technology continues to shape everyday life. The applause Hwang received after completing a simple online order captures the wider challenge: for many seniors, learning to use digital tools is not merely about convenience, but about remaining independent and included in a rapidly changing society.

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