Dr. Dhanakorn Srisooksai The manager of the Safe and Creative Media Development Fund revealed that Thailand has now entered a fully aging society, and the media consumption behavior of the elderly has changed significantly. They have greater access to information through social media.

According to findings from the Thai Elderly Research and Development Institute Foundation, elderly individuals aged 60-70 and 50-59 years access and use the internet for an average of 2-3 hours per day, while those aged 50-54, approaching old age, use the internet for an average of 4-5 hours per day.

It is commonly used for conversation, keeping up with news, searching for information and posting messages, as well as sending and receiving emails, online shopping, and conducting financial transactions through applications, at a level that is increasing every year. This finding reflects that older adults are increasingly accepting of using technology in their daily activities.

It can be used for keeping up with news, finding information about healthcare, building close relationships with family, friends, and the community, including online communities, and for seeking entertainment from online media for relaxation and recreation.

This demonstrates that online media plays an increasingly important role and is an integral part of the daily lives of senior citizens and those approaching senior age.

The Safe and Creative Media Development Fund recognizes the importance of using digital technology among the elderly, who are valuable human resources and play a vital role in the country.

Therefore, the "Senior Citizens with a Vibrant Heart, Year 2" project was launched to develop the potential of senior citizens in using digital technology to enhance their daily lives, promote good relationships, and encourage participation with family, community, and society. The project aims to enable senior citizens to adapt to rapidly changing digital technologies to improve their quality of life, generate income, and contribute productively to society.

The results from the first year of the project show that over 50 people participated in the training and undertook fieldwork to gain understanding, practical skills, and the ability to apply the knowledge.

"Besides appreciating all the senior participants in this project, I must also express my admiration for the younger participants who served as 'Digital Buddies.' They were readily available to provide advice and support, acting like family members to help participants overcome obstacles in developing their digital skills."

It served as a supporting unit, nurturing the creation of a model that returned knowledge to society, leading to the continuation and expansion of the project in its second year.

I sincerely hope that this project will benefit senior citizens, contributing to the creation of a safe and creative media ecosystem. Every comment and suggestion is valuable and important for the further development of the mission of the Safe and Creative Media Development Fund.