Making Sure Older People Are Not Left Behind in the Digital World

Huawei encourages teaching older people to use smartphones

According to the World Health Organization, between 2000 and 2050, the number of people over 60 years old will rise from 605 million to 2 billion, or 22% of the world's population. With the Internet and information technology, older people could enjoy more efficient and convenient smart products and services. However, the digital world can also be difficult for them. Older people often lack digital skills and don't know how to use new tools like health codes, QR codes for phone payments, or ride-hailing apps.

Since 2017, we at Huawei have been adding new accessibility functions to our EMUI phone operating system to ensure that all groups have equal access to digital services. By the end of 2020, 15 accessibility functions are available on Huawei phones, and are used by about 10 million people each month. 

During the Spring Festival, Huawei launched an initiative encouraging young people to teach elderly family members how to use smartphones. We published A Guide to Mobile Phones for Mom & Dad, which uses pictorial guides to teach older people to use mobile phones in a straightforward way.

Features designed specifically to help older users include:

• Simple Mode: This mode features a simpler layout, and larger icons and fonts in the apps that are used most by older people. Sound volume is automatically turned to maximum, so that older people can hear the phone more clearly. In China alone, about 8.8 million people use Huawei Simple Mode every month.
• Voice Assistant Celia: Older people can use voice commands to ask Celia to help them with everyday tasks. For example, when an older user says to Celia, "Help me call a taxi", Celia will immediately open the ride hailing app DiDi.
• MeeTime: MeeTime enables older people to make HD video calls with their family members on any Huawei phone, tablet, or smart screen, closely connecting them with their loved ones no matter where they are.