In neighborhoods across Delhi, a remarkable role reversal is transforming family dynamics and community relationships. Young children are stepping up as technology instructors while senior citizens eagerly embrace the digital world as enthusiastic learners.
The Student Becomes The Teacher
Across living rooms, community centers, and makeshift classrooms, schoolchildren are guiding older adults through the complexities of modern technology. These young mentors demonstrate how to swipe through smartphone screens, search the internet, book cab services, pay bills online, and make video calls to loved ones.
According to experts, this intergenerational knowledge exchange serves as a crucial first line of defense against the growing threat of cyber scams and online frauds that disproportionately target older adults. By helping seniors navigate the digital landscape with confidence, these young teachers are providing essential protection for vulnerable populations.
SAVE Program Bridges Generational Divide
This heartwarming initiative operates through HelpAge India's long-running SAVE program (Student Action for Value Education) and its specialized digital literacy project called Digital GuruCool. Recent survey data from HelpAge India reveals that 73% of senior citizens feel digital tools bring them closer to younger generations, though many still struggle with confusing interfaces, fear of making errors, and memory-related challenges.
Twenty-year-old Istekhar Ansari, a Delhi University student and program volunteer, finds the experience deeply rewarding. "The warmth and affection you receive from them is special," he shared. "The bond feels just like the one I had with my own grandparents. They ask, I guide, and they bless me."
Fellow volunteer Sangita Chakroborty observes that seniors display genuine eagerness to learn essential digital skills. "Many elders are still unfamiliar with phone operations essential for daily life and they genuinely want to learn," she noted. "The confidence on their faces once they understand is what motivates me to return."
Digital Independence Restores Dignity
For older participants, mastering digital technology represents more than just learning new apps—it's a pathway to maintaining dignity and independence in an increasingly digital world.
Seventy-one-year-old Neelam Maini described the experience as feeling like "a schoolchild" again, though with reversed roles. "The students answered every question with patience, especially about bank frauds," she recalled. "I told the young girl helping me, 'From today, you are my guru.'"
Financial security remains a paramount concern for many seniors. Seventy-five-year-old Prakash Naik emphasized how one mistake can cost a lifetime of savings. "Everything you've worked for can disappear if you're not mobile savvy," he warned, adding that he now hopes to learn artificial intelligence tools.
The program has already produced significant practical benefits for participants. D Nagarajan reported that he now pays bills online, books doctor appointments digitally, and stays connected with family through video calls. "This programme has given us the confidence and made us independent," he affirmed.
Sixty-nine-year-old Mani Sah confirmed this transformation: "Before this training, we depended on others for simple tasks. Now we use WhatsApp, read news online, access government services and even learn on YouTube."
Progress and Challenges in Digital Adoption
Research indicates both advancement and persistent gaps in digital readiness among India's elderly population. While 42% of seniors show eagerness to learn digital skills and another 28% demonstrate openness to the idea, significant barriers remain. Approximately 19% of older adults remain unwilling to engage with digital technology, while 11% feel uncertain—particularly among the very elderly, those with limited education, or individuals facing health challenges.
The program has generated impressive participation numbers, connecting 2,050 senior citizens with 1,160 student volunteers to date. Encouragingly, 75% of young people express willingness to volunteer their time, and 82% indicate they prefer spending time with seniors who live alone.
Kunal Kishore, mission head for the initiative, explained the program's origins: "We saw a clear gap and turned a simple digital learning effort into a bridge between generations." This innovative approach not only addresses the digital divide but also strengthens intergenerational bonds in communities across Delhi.
