Digital inclusion in Singapore:

Singapore’s goal is to establish Singapore as a smart country tapping the potential Information,
Communication and Media (ICM) brought. Regarding economic growth, social cohesion, and a better life
for the people. To Support this, the Infocomm Media 2025. The Ministry of Industry and Information
Technology announces the master plan Communication and information make Singapore better in 2015
Connect people through information and communication and media; to improve quality live in Singapore
and cultivate stronger Singapore identity. Successful use of information communication and for the media
to achieve these goals, it needs identify and bridge the digital divide the country is of utmost importance.
based on Information Communication Media Development Bureau (IMDA) Annual Survey on the Use of
Information and Communication. In families and individuals, there are the number of people surfing the
internet has risen steadily and broadband (Figures 1 and 2). However, every 12% Of households are still
not connected to the internet and 13% of households the computer cannot be used. IMDA digital
inclusion efforts aim to bridge some of these gaps so that more can benefit from the adoption of
infocomm media1.

Silver Infocomm Initiative:

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FROM DIGITAL EXCLUSION TO UNIVERSAL DIGITAL ACCESS IN SINGAPORE

The Silver Infocomm Initiative (SII) aims to bridge the digital divide among seniors aged 50 and
above through addressing their differences in educational background, language and infocomm
competencies. The initiative comprises the following programs:

1-Silver IT Fest: Formerly known as Silver Info communication Day (SID), a leading annual event
that began in 2007. This event aims to educate seniors learn about the latest news in the field of info
communications through seminars, IT seminars and Exhibitions. Total number of Silver IT Fest
participants the series since its inception has more than 42,000.

2- Silver IT Care : Started in late 2013, the programme taps on tech-savvy seniors to help other
seniors. The outcome is the setup of the info COMM Helpdesk manned by senior volunteers who are
able to guide their peers with any software or hardware issues. As at December 2015, about 740 cases
inclusive of technical queries and computer repairs were successfully dealt with.

3- Silver Infocomm Wellness Ambassadors (SIWA): Now in its fourth year, the programme
recognizes seniors who have not only embraced info COMM but also inspired their peers to pick up
IT skills. Till date there are 102 recipients of the award.

4- Silver Infocomm Hotspots (SIH) :To encourage infocomm usage amongst interested seniors
with no access to computers, these infocomm access points were set up at places frequent by seniors.
Currently there are about 90 such SIHs.

5-Silver Infocomm Junctions (SIJ): Senior-friendly infocomm learning hubs with affordable
and customized training courses that cover a range of topics from basic infocomm skills such as
using a computer to more advanced topics such as online storage and sharing (Cloud Computing).

6-Intergenerational IT Bootcamp: The programme aim to foster bonds between seniors

and their grandchildren or students, while allowing them to learn infocomm in a funny way.
The programme was developed in 2010 and has seen over 2,800 seniors pick up IT skills2.

Four Strategies with Four Applications For Digital Inclusion in

Singapore:
Expand and enhance digital access for inclusivity:
Having the ability to access online knowledge, networks, and communities is an
important aspect of being digitally prepared. Today's access is more than just
having a computer and access to the internet. We are progressively discovering
that in today's electronically connected society, there are more digital elements
that we use on a daily basis:

INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE FACTSHEET: OVERVIEW OF DIGITAL INCLUSION

The government is actively creating a National Digital Identity (NDI) system that
extends from the SingPass platform to enable users with a single digital identity to
transact with both the government and the commercial sector more securely and
seamlessly. The government will then unveil SingPass Mobile, an app that will
make it easier for citizens to transact on the go using their fingerprints or a user-
defined passcode.
Infuse Digital Literacy into National Consciousness Identities:
A digital society is one in which inhabitants not only have access to technology,
but also embrace it, using it to connect with the world around them confidently
and successfully.
Digital literacy is described as having the knowledge, skills, confidence, and
motivation to use technology, and it is critical to our Smart Nation objective.
Aside from an understanding of what digital technology can do and how to use it,
digital literacy also entails the ability to think critically about the information
received. With the rise of fake news, the ability to spot misinformation has never
been more important.

In 2013, the Media Literacy Council launched the Better Internet Campaign,
aimed at teenagers, parents, seniors, and the general public, to promote the safe
and responsible use of digital technology. The 2018 Campaign has a strong
emphasis on deciphering misinformation. The community is given access to
public education content such as catchy instructional movies with bite-sized fact-
checking information.

The goal is to instill in online consumers a healthy scepticism of online

information and to provide simple methods for creating fact-checking habits.
Youths, parents, educators, elderly, and the general public will learn how to spot
disinformation and comprehend the motivations behind its development, as well
as the consequences and hazards of believing in and spreading it.

Empower Community and Businesses to Drive Widespread

Adoption of Technology:
It is not enough for people to just consume technology in order to prosper in a
technologically advanced society. Instead, they should be knowledgeable about
new technologies and driven and confident in their ability to use them to produce
goods, content, and services, as well as engage with their communities.
Singaporeans must be given opportunities to engage, create, and connect with one
another via technology in order to foster motivation and confidence.
Volunteers provide one-on-one support to seniors in using their mobile devices,
such as smartphones, at IMDA's Digital Clinics. In collaboration with the South
East Community Development Council and corporate volunteers from the Changi
Business Park Gives 2017 project, IMDA has begun holding Digital Clinic
sessions in the eastern area. Sessions have been held at community venues such as
MacPherson Community Club, Heartbeat@Bedok, and Marine Parade Public
Library since November 2017. The SG Cares Local Network of students and
corporate volunteers helps to organise some of these clinics. Digital Clinic
workshops will be held in different parts of Singapore beginning in April 2018.

Promote Digital Inclusion by Design:

Whether it's a mobile app, a website, a workshop, or an information pamphlet,
digital efforts must be developed in such a way that everyone can participate. The
initiative's design, content, language, and relevance to people's lives will go a long
way toward ensuring that everyone can join in our digital journey. Inclusion by
design extends beyond the realm of the internet. Policies and laws that could
inhibit digital adoption should be evaluated and revised.

Tech Kaki, a GovTech effort, is a citizen engagement community. Citizens are

invited to give their thoughts on GovTech's current and planned citizen goods and
services through Tech Kaki. Anyone (not just the tech-savvy!) who wants to help
enhance government digital products and services is welcome to join the
community.
GovTech has hosted a number of Tech Kaki meet-ups to get feedback from
residents from all walks of life. These interactions allow GovTech to gain a better
understanding of customer demands and improve its digital products. GovTech
has already conducted discussions on Parking.sg and the usage of chatbots to do
government transactions, for example. GovTech hopes that with each meet-up,
they can extend an invitation to everyone to join them on this Smart Nation
journey and co-create improved public services.3

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