"Line Up but Unaware of Mask App, 'Empty-Handed'... Reducing the Information Gap Among the Elderly"

Don't Know How to Use Mask App, 'Pharmacy Wandering'... "We'll Set an Alarm for You"
ICT Map to Block COVID-19 Spread, but 'Digital Vulnerable Groups' Issue Persists
App Strengthens 'Notification' Feature for Elderly... Preventing Mask Supply 'Blind Spots'

On the 15th, when the public mask 5-day rotation system is in effect, a notice regarding the implementation of the public mask 5-day rotation system is posted at a pharmacy in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] "Mask app? I've never heard of it before... It's hard for older people to learn something like this."

Mr. Kim Chung-hoon (65, pseudonym, Seocho-gu, Seoul) spent the entire morning on Friday (20th), the official mask purchase day, going around pharmacies at the intersection but could not find a mask. He only knew about the 5-day mask purchase system and went on a 'pharmacy wandering' on the designated day, but because he was not familiar with using smartphone applications (apps), he could not find a pharmacy with remaining stock. Mr. Kim shook his head, saying, "I didn't know you could check the stock quantity on your phone unless it was posted at the pharmacy entrance."

According to the industry on the 20th, to assist the 'digitally vulnerable group' like Mr. Kim, there is a proposal to add notification functions to the mask app service. Following apps like 'Ddokdak' strengthening notification functions for middle-aged and older adults, the Ministry of Science and ICT is also urging developers to add notification features to make it easier for vulnerable groups to use. For example, by utilizing birthdate information available during app registration, push notifications such as "There are 00 masks left at pharmacy a near your home" or "Today is your day to buy masks" would be provided to seniors aged 65 and over. The government expects that adding such functions will make mask purchases much easier for vulnerable groups experiencing information gaps.

According to the '2019 Digital Information Gap Survey' by the Korea Information Society Development Institute, among the four vulnerable groups (disabled, low-income, elderly, and farmers/fishermen), the elderly showed the lowest digital accessibility and utilization. A Ministry of Science and ICT official said, "We recognize that digitally vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled are experiencing an 'information gap' regarding mask stock," adding, "We are considering customized senior app services and are at the stage of recommending related feature additions to private app developers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.