Editors: Chi Zhang & Shanshan Wu, Class of 2026
Wanlin Bai is an economics student at Duke Kunshan University with a strong passion for poverty alleviation and rural development. She is dedicated to promoting technological adoption among elderly individuals in rural areas and has been recognized as a “changemaker,” aspiring to bring positive transformation to local communities. A prime example of her impact is the CSCC Community Service Project titled “Connecting Seniors to the Digital World”. Under Wanlin’s leadership, this project partners with various nursing homes and student organizations in the Jiangnan region to bolster digital literacy among over 1,400 seniors. The initiative goes beyond educational workshops and one-on-one assistance; it also extends to dynamic outreach activities, such as awareness campaigns, promotional videos, and campus events, engaging more than 200 people.
Wanlin’s team has conducted field studies in locations such as subway stations, hospitals, and malls, gathering data to address the difficulties that seniors encounter with digital interfaces. This research has informed the development of targeted training curricula for applications essential to their daily lives, including WeChat, Alipay, and Suzhoudao. The insights gained have been encapsulated in a white paper that advocates for digital policy reforms favoring seniors. These efforts were spotlighted at the United Nations ECOSOC (The Economic and Social Council) Youth Forum, where Wanlin presented her project’s significant findings and progress.
Despite obstacles, Wanlin’s initiative has made commendable progress in promoting digital inclusivity. Ensuring that seniors remain connected and self-reliant in a digital age is not only a goal but a reality being advanced through sustained education, research, and advocacy. This initiative underscores the importance of digital access for the elderly, a demographic often overlooked in the rapid pace of technological advancement. Eager to explore the intersection of her academic focus and community service, we are pleased to have the opportunity to speak with Wanlin and delve deeper into her experiences and the extensive impact of her work.
Hi Wanlin, we are inspired by your commitment to bridging the digital divide for seniors through education and outreach. Could you briefly outline your “Connecting Seniors to the Digital World” project and explain what inspired you to address this specific social issue?
The “Connecting Seniors to the Digital World” project aims to empower elderly individuals in China—particularly those in nursing homes and rural communities—to confidently navigate the digital age. My inspiration for the project began during the pandemic, when many public services transitioned online, such as online medicine purchasing and entry/exit applications. This shift created significant barriers for older adults who were not familiar with digital tools. For example, my grandfather, who had always relied on family members for help with these tasks, found himself navigating them alone during the lockdown. This highlighted the urgent need to improve digital literacy among older generations.
Initially, the project began in my hometown’s communities, where we proposed organizing courses and creating online tutorial videos to teach seniors how to use basic digital functions like online ticket purchasing and food delivery services. During my years of studying and living in Kunshan, I also noticed how highly digitized cities like Suzhou had transitioned most public services to online platforms. Tasks like subway and bus ticket purchases and hospital medical registrations were all online. Even as a young person, I felt a bit lost navigating these systems, and I realized that for seniors, these digital barriers would be even more challenging. This prompted us to include guides on using these public services as part of our project.
Growing up in a rapidly digitizing China, I witnessed firsthand how elderly relatives struggled with tasks like online medical appointments and mobile payments. These challenges often left them isolated and dependent on younger family members. Ultimately, the project was born out of a desire to ensure that seniors, especially those in underserved areas, can retain their independence and dignity in an increasingly tech-driven society.
Tailoring educational material is crucial. How did you did you customize your digital literacy sessions to meet the unique needs and learning preferences of the elderly in China?
My grandparents are my greatest source of inspiration. After creating new tutorial videos, I usually send to them first to see if they fully understand and whether the content is clear enough. Additionally, through this project, I’ve found it easier to put myself in the shoes of elderly people. While traveling in Suzhou, I pay more attention to the needs of older individuals and collect insights from them. This gradually led to the development of our current course module design. We prioritized simplicity, repetition, and visual aids to cater to seniors’ learning preferences. The training was split into four modules (e.g., “Using WeChat for Family Communication,” “Hospital Appointments via Suzhoudao”), each focusing on a single task to avoid overwhelming the learners. These courses emphasize functions that are most commonly used in daily life. Moreover, to make them easier for older people to read, we created illustrated brochures and video tutorials with large fonts and clear screenshots.
Adoption is critical when it comes to new technology. In your experience, what are the key factors that influence seniors’ openness to learning digital skills? Are there any notable contrasts in adaptability between seniors in urban areas vs. those in rural communities?
According to our experience, seniors are more motivated to learn digital tools when the skills are directly tied to their daily needs (e.g. managing medical appointments). In addition, family support plays a crucial role in motivating seniors to learn how to use digital devices. Research shows that the primary reason non-netizens are encouraged to access the internet is the convenience of communication with family or relatives. Elder people are more incentivized when they understand that learning digital skills can help them stay better connected with their loved ones. Moreover, seniors who receive encouragement from family members or peers tend to show higher levels of engagement in the learning process. Family support is therefore essential in helping seniors navigate the digital learning journey.
As for the differences between seniors in rural and urban areas, rural seniors face more significant challenges due to gaps in infrastructure, such as poor internet connectivity, lower exposure to digital technology, and a lower need for digital device use, as most services in rural areas still rely on in-person interactions. In China, the main reasons why non-netizens do not go online include a lack of understanding of computers or networks (56.1%), difficulty with Pinyin and other literacy-related issues (28.4%), and lack of access to digital devices (19.0%). These barriers are particularly pronounced in rural areas, where issues related to device accessibility and digital literacy are even more severe.
The choice of digital platforms plays a key role in training. What specific apps did your training focus on (e.g., WeChat, Alipay, Suzhoudao), and who drove the decision to focus on these platforms? How did you address any potential barriers to accessibility faced by seniors with these platforms?
We focused on WeChat (communication), Alipay (payments), Suzhoudao (public services), and Gaode Map (navigation)—apps essential for daily tasks. Nursing home staff and initial surveys drove these choices.
Accessibility Solutions:
Large-Icon Interfaces: Created custom shortcut guides to bypass cluttered app layouts.
Offline Practice: Used printed QR codes to simulate real-world scans in training.
Voice Assistance: Encouraged seniors to use voice commands in WeChat to reduce typing barriers.
Your experience at the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum must have been enlightening. Could you elaborate on the main points or findings you presented there and explain how they demonstrate the impact of your project?
The main points I presented were drawn from my mid-project report, which highlighted the key findings of our work. However, I also shared some personal reflections on the challenges and insights I gained while conducting the project.
One of the most important realizations I had was that teaching and helping elderly people is quite different from working with other social groups. Their sense of pride needs to be treated with great sensitivity. Many older adults feel humiliated admitting they don’t know how to use certain digital tools, especially when they see their peers mastering them. This hesitation often prevents them from seeking further help, as they feel embarrassed or inadequate. It’s especially pronounced among elderly men, who tend to be more reluctant to ask for assistance.
Additionally, many seniors have had negative learning experiences in the past, often with younger family members. Current app designs tend to use small fonts and unclear instructions, which can be frustrating. When their family members try to help, impatience often leads to yelling or frustration, which in turn diminishes the seniors’ confidence and makes them fearful of further learning. I’ve often heard elderly women say, “I’m just too dumb for these new inventions,” reflecting the discouragement they’ve faced. This lack of confidence can deter them from trying again.
Given that our project had limited resources—funding, time, and personnel—our impact was constrained. However, I believe that the best way to help older adults catch up with technology is through the involvement of their families. Younger generations must play a key role in this process by being patient, offering encouragement, and ensuring that their grandparents are not left behind by the rapid pace of technological change. It’s crucial that family members create an environment of respect and support to help seniors feel empowered and confident in learning.
Overall, the experience taught me the importance of empathy, patience, and understanding in bridging the digital divide for seniors.
How has presenting at an international platform like ECOSOC influenced your approach to the project? How has your participation shaped your approach to the project? Were there any specific pieces of feedback or opportunities that could help scale your project’s scope?
Presenting at an international platform like ECOSOC had a profound impact on my approach to the project. It not only expanded my perspective but also reinforced the importance of inclusivity and sustainability in our efforts. Interacting with a diverse group of young leaders, experts, and organizations gave me the opportunity to see how other initiatives are tackling similar challenges, which led me to rethink our strategies for scaling and deepening our impact.
One of the key takeaways from the forum was the emphasis on building long-term, community-driven solutions. This influenced my approach to the project by highlighting the importance of collaboration with local stakeholders, such as community leaders and organizations, to ensure that our work is sustainable beyond the duration of the project. I also realized that incorporating more technology-driven solutions, such as mobile apps or online platforms, could help reach a larger number of seniors and provide ongoing support.
Finally, do you have any tips for students who want to apply for the CSCC Community Grant?
For a community-focused project, it should come from the community and ultimately return to it. The starting point should always be a genuine love and care for the community and the people within it. As you move through the process, it’s essential to stay connected with the community, keeping their needs at the forefront and being flexible enough to adapt the project based on their feedback.The ultimate goal of your project should be to create a positive impact on the community, even if it’s in small, incremental ways. It’s important to focus on making a real difference in the lives of the people you aim to serve.
For my project, I found that the key was not about communication techniques or crafting an impressive recommendation letter, but about identifying the true needs of the people and expressing genuine love and care. When you can connect with the community on a deeper level and understand their challenges and desires, the project will naturally become more impactful and meaningful.
So, my advice would be: focus on building a genuine relationship with the community, listen to their needs, and ensure that your project is grounded in love, respect, and empathy. That will resonate far more than anything else.
