Older S. Koreans flock to smartphones

August 19, 2013 Leave a comment

Older S. Koreans flock to smartphones

Weon Yo-hwan/ Sohn Yoo-ri

South Korea’s ‘Silver Mobilian’ is making headway in maneuvering smart devices. ‘Silver Mobilian’ is the newly-coined term that combines ‘silver’ with ‘mobilian’ referring to those changing their way of living with mobile devices. It means financially well-off older generation who utilizes mobile devices and social networking service (SNS) in active manners. Smart devices including smartphones and tablet PCs are no longer excusive tools for young generation. The rate of wireless internet usage among those in their 50s grew a startling 35.2 percent compared to a year ago, according to the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA)’s report released earlier this year. The growth among those in their 50 was steeper than among those in their 20s (5.3 percent) or 30s (19.6 percent). Those in their 50s also posted the highest growth in terms of 4G LTE smartphone usage, the report showed. The portion of LTE smartphone users among those in their 50s (20.8 percent) outpaced those in their 20s (18.7 percent).

An official at Uplus, Korea’s mobile phone operator said, “those in their 50s or 60s are shifting from feature phones to LTE phones without experiencing 3G phones unlike those in their 20s or 30s,” adding, “the financially well-off older generation, after their retirement, has been immersed into smartphones by capitalizing on SNS including Kakao Talk,.”

There is a prejudice that the Silver Mobilian, unfamiliar with the latest functions, would find it difficult to maneuver smartphones.

Going against the prejudice, they actively learn ways to use smartphones with the help of acquaintances and engage in educational programs to master smartphones. Some of them, albeit being a small number, receive education to develop smartphone applications, which even the young generation finds it challenging to master.

Lee Joon-ki, professor at Yonsei graduate school noted, “intuitive user experience and easier operations enable the older generation to use smartphones.”

Filed under Macro Trends, TMT Trends

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