As the UN International Day for Older Persons approaches, Mung!, an innovative Oxford-based tech start-up, has issued a stark warning about the future risks of digital ageism. The company, focused on tackling the exclusion of older generations from digital advancements, predicts that Generation Z, the first digital-native generation, could face significant challenges with digital illiteracy if technology firms do not take action to create more inclusive products.
Digital Ageism: A Growing Threat
Mung! is thought to be the world’s first AI-driven tech start-up to directly confront digital ageism. Founded by Oxford DPhil students Linda Hong Cheng, Tongshan Liu, and Marek Rychetský, the company is urging large tech companies to rethink their approach to product development. They argue that without adaptation, older people risk being left behind in the digital revolution. The consequences of this exclusion could impact businesses and society on a global scale.
Linda Hong Cheng, co-founder of Mung!, emphasized, Leaving older individuals out of the digital landscape is not just an ethical concern but also a financial one. The elderly population is expanding rapidly and represents a significant and valuable consumer market. Companies that fail to meet the needs of this market will face significant challenges in maintaining their competitive edge.”
The Wider Impact of Digital Exclusion
Mung! stresses the importance of combating digital ageism, noting that the social and economic consequences could be profound if the issue remains unaddressed. Linda further explained, The ability to navigate the digital world is essential for engagement in today’s society, as acknowledged by the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4. When people, particularly the elderly, lack digital skills, it can exacerbate social inequality, increase poverty, and affect overall mortality rates.”
The start-up warns that by failing to make digital products more accessible to the older population, tech companies are not only risking their future consumer base but are also contributing to broader societal problems.
Mung!’s Solution to Digital Ageism
Mung! has developed innovative solutions designed to close the digital divide. The company provides tailored software solutions and consulting services to assist businesses in modifying their products to cater to the requirements of older consumers is committed to making technology accessible to all age groups, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
In the UK, over 7.3 million older adults are using smartphones today. However, only 46.2% of them are able to efficiently look up information online, while 50.4% know how to use QR codes, and 52.1% can navigate online shopping platforms. These statistics highlight the urgent need for more inclusive tech solutions, particularly as the global population of individuals aged 65 or older is expected to double by 2050, rising from 761 million to 1.6 billion.
Supporting Digital Literacy Initiatives
As part of its commitment to promoting digital literacy, Mung! recently held its first Digital Skills Workshop for older adults at Saïd Business School. The event was attended by Dean Soumitra Dutta, who praised the company for its innovative approach to tackling digital ageism and its dedication to creating more inclusive technologies.
Linda concluded, “The future of technology must be inclusive. We are determined to drive this change by creating tools that help people of all ages engage with the digital world, ensuring that no one is left out of the technological advancements shaping society.”
