Narrowing the Technological Disconnect: Exploring the Chasm Between Young and Old in Kazakhstan
Rewritten Article:
Disclaimer: This article presents the personal insights of our reader, Dinara Shokayeva, and reflects her unique perspective on digital literacy and technology access among older generations. The views expressed here do not represent The Astana Times’ official stance.
It's a shady reality when the government celebrates its achievements in digital governance while parents and grandparents, living just a few miles away, are struggling to navigate the e-government platform in a tiny apartment. Kazakhstan ranked 24th in the global e-government development index, climbing four spots from the previous report as per the UN E-Government Survey 2024. Yet, it's hard not to notice the digital divide that is rapidly growing among generations.
I recently visited my grandparents in the Baikonur district of Astana. They were attempting to complete an online application for a certificate using the Egov platform. Despite my efforts to walk them through the process, my grandmother expressed her frustration, saying, "We won't learn anyways, it's too hard to memorize." My 20-year-old mind found itself questioning the complexity of instructions for these platforms. Simultaneously, I had concerns about the long queues I'd see at Public Service Centers, which were predominantly filled with elderly and middle-aged individuals seeking assistance from a handful of employees.
Digital literacy has been one of the main priorities of governance reforms. The government initiated the Digital Kazakhstan program to harness the digital power in all sectors. While many applaud the swift accomplishments in a short period, particularly the younger generation, those who grew up without technology are being left behind.
This unrecognized gap between generations has been detected by various studies and reports, an expected outcome due to the lack of familiarity with the internet. Fraudulent activities, such as phishing and scams, have flourished in Kazakhstan over the past few years, with the older population being the most vulnerable.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic served as a significant test for those in need of funds and healthcare services. While telehealth is still in its early stages in the country, it saw some growth during the pandemic. However, government financial assistance for those affected was only available online, leaving many struggling to obtain support.
To tackle this issue, it's essential to implement intentional steps. The government could initiate programs to increase the digital literacy of older individuals through close collaboration with tech companies and engagement with younger individuals. Courses aimed at reducing digital illiteracy should become mandatory, and implementation at libraries, sports centers, and theaters could be prioritized.
Telecom companies, including Kazakhtelecom, the internet provider in the country, should be equipped to offer training sessions for new users. Another approach would be to adapt the indicators of the national digitalization services to assess the digital divide between younger and older generations, potentially pushing policymakers to focus more on providing learning opportunities or adapting existing digital platforms.
The focus has primarily been on providing equal internet access in both urban and rural areas. However, more targeted efforts are needed to empower the older population. Various initiatives have targeted rural-urban digital divide issues, in education for children and women's empowerment. In response to the increasing digitalization of services, there was also a free digital skills training program in all regions, with reported participation from 2,729 institutions. A next step would be more focused solutions for older citizens, bridging the gap between generations.
The author is Dinara Shokayeva, a PhD student at the Graduate School of Public Policy, Nazarbayev University.
- Despite Kazakhstan's advancement in digital governance, as seen in the global e-government development index, there exists a growing digital divide between generations, particularly evident among older individuals living in Astana's Baikonur district.
- Digital illiteracy among older citizens has been a concern, heightened by the complexity of instructions found on e-government platforms, such as Egov, leaving many struggling to navigate these digital spaces.
- The government's digital literacy priorities, initiated through the Digital Kazakhstan program, need to extend beyond the younger population who are digitally native, to include initiatives specifically designed for the older generation left behind in the digital revolution.
- In response to the digital divide, policymakers should collaborate with tech companies and young individuals to introduce mandatory digital literacy courses, prioritizing their implementation in libraries, sports centers, and theaters.
- Beyond expanding internet access in urban and rural areas, focused solutions are needed to empower older citizens, bridging the gap between generations, as the rapidly increasing digitalization of services exacerbates their vulnerability to fraudulent activities and challenges in obtaining government support.
