The growing 'grey' digital divide in Malaysia

While the whole world goes digital, senior citizens who are not tech savvy are getting left behind and facing barriers to access and services. — 123rf.com

Today, with just a few clicks online, we can pay bills, transfer money, buy a movie ticket, call a taxi, and order food. We live in an increasingly digital world which undoubtedly has made many people’s lives easier.

But not everybody’s lives. If you don’t have a smartphone or are not skilled at using one – which is the case for some low-income or older people – then some activities are now more complicated or even inaccessible. Everyday services once paid for in cash may now require digital payments – via Touch ‘n Go, GrabPay, Boost, JomPay, etc – or QR codes scanned. All of this may not be easy for some.