IGF 2021 Day 0 Event #61 Technological assistance emphasis on teenagers during the pandemic — is it fair to distribute resources in such a way?

Time
Monday, 6th December, 2021 (10:15 UTC) - Monday, 6th December, 2021 (11:15 UTC)
Room
Ballroom C

Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong - IFocus Ambassdor Alumni

CHEUNG Chun Xin Jayson, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

NG Justin Ming Yin, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

CHENG, Yee Him, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

TSUI, Wai Him, Nicodemus, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

LEUNG Huen Hei, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

LEE Tsz Ho, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

CHAU Tsz Chun Anthony, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

CHUI Chun Ho, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

YEUNG Hoi Ching, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

Speakers

1. CHEUNG Chun Xin, Jayson, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

2. NG Justin Ming Yin, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, civil society, Asia Pacific Region

Online Moderator

CHENG Yee Him, LEUNG Huen Hei, CHAU Tsz Chun Anthony,

Rapporteur

TSUI Wai Him, Nicodemus, CHUI Chun Ho

Format

Presentation & discussion

Duration (minutes)
60
Language

English

Description

There has always been a huge digital gap between the youth and the elderly. This has become more significant during the COVID-19 pandemic when governments emphasize online education materials for students. Some argue that there is a lack of resources and support in terms of device and literacy programs from governments to meet the demand for technological assistance for adults, elderly, and people of disabilities. Meanwhile, some believe that technical assistance to teenagers’ learning should be prioritized. In this session, the current situation of technological support by government and different parties will be introduced. Whether or not support should be equally provided and how to be equally provided will also be discussed. It is hoped that after the session, a clear message on how technological resources should be properly distributed to ease the digital gap among different vulnerable groups can be obtained.

This session focuses on the diverged views on whether teenagers are better than other generations in adapting to new technologies, and our focus is on youth and digital inclusion.

10 minutes of introduction will be conducted by the speaker to show that the COVID-19 pandemic evoked the need of using the Internet for other vulnerable groups, not only children but also the elderly and people of disabilities. Because they are lacking skills in using the Internet, they cannot meet the basic needs such as meeting and communicating with their family members and access to the services using internet without normal support. Also, lots of elderly, as well as the physically and intellectually challenged people reflected that they have a high desire in learning how to use the internet during our organization's voluntary work program called ‘IFocus ambassadors’ but it is paused because of the pandemic with social distancing policies. 

15 minutes of our findings in the policies about digital inclusion in Hong Kong SAR, Singapore and England will be introduced to show there is a lack of insight to provide the same opportunities for developing their digital competencies as they feel the pressing need.

5 minutes break will then be provided and at the same time, we will form breakout rooms to prepare both the on-site and online participants to join the group discussion in a hybrid format.

20 minutes of group discussion will then be conducted via breakout sessions, by opening the floor to all participants to share their thoughts on how to promote digital inclusion by promoting more education opportunities to senior citizens and people with disabilities even in the pandemic situation.

10 minutes of summary and round-up for each group to share their insights on their discussion result to broaden insights for every participant.

Breakout groups are used to engage participants and speakers, both online and onsite, with the help of our online and onsite moderators and from IGF officials.

Key Takeaways (* deadline 2 hours after session)

1. The live poll result that which target group distributing technical resources such as devices and internet service from government is better, 50% attendances prefer evenly distributed among all people. 45.5% for distributing to teenagers only and only 4.5% focusing on elderly/others.

2. However, participants presented that there are many other targets need to be pay more resources to them such as refugees in African countries and elderly since the belief of ' every people should have the same human rights to be assisted in getting computer and internet devices, educational opportunities and services because pandemic affects everyone.

Call to Action (* deadline 2 hours after session)

1. Government should provide leading force to provide propaganda to the society in helping those vulnerable groups.

2. Since the social distancing procedure such as prohibition on group gathering, civil society service to help the vulnerable groups, promoting mutual help network is important to help the potential vulnerable targets. NGOs or charity organization can make use of these network to help the people in need remotely.