Haenam County, "We Come to You"... Warm Education with No One Left Behind Digitally

"Visiting Smartphone Education" for Seniors Gains Popularity

The "Visiting Smartphone Education" program operated by Haenam County, South Jeolla Province (Governor Myung Hyun-gwan), has become increasingly popular, attracting over 400 residents in just about two months.

According to the county on April 22, the program has been conducted since February 24 to improve residents' digital device skills and bridge the digital divide.

Haenam County is conducting visiting smartphone education for senior citizens. After receiving the education, the seniors are adding text to photos. Provided by Haenam County

If five or more residents apply together, an instructor visits their desired location on a preferred date to provide the training. In particular, since many elderly people live in rural and fishing villages, group applications at the village level are common, making the program highly effective as it is tailored to the needs of senior citizens.

The curriculum focuses on practical smartphone skills that can be used in daily life, such as how to use KakaoTalk, smartphone settings, and the "Haenam Sotong Net" app. Additionally, the program offers training on the use of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that has recently attracted significant attention.

Participating seniors shared, "Through smartphones, I can send Studio Ghibli-style photos to my children and try many new things, which has boosted my confidence and made me feel proud." They added, "We hope this kind of useful education continues."

Due to continued demand from residents, the county plans to accept additional applications for the first half of the year until May 2 and continue operating the program. To apply, residents can visit the general affairs team at their local town or township office and fill out an application form. After applying, the training schedule will be arranged in consultation with the applicants.

A county official stated, "The Visiting Smartphone Education program is a service that directly reaches out to residents to ensure they are not left behind in the digital environment," and added, "We will continue to expand various forms of digital education in the future."