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Chinese Government wants easier-to-read websites (better fonts) for elderly users.
China has over 36 million of digital users that are over 60 years old, and more than 100 million people that are above 50.
These persons spend an average of 136 hours a month on their smart devices.
China Internet Network Information Centre issued this information.
And even more interesting, by 2030, a quarter of China’s total population will be older than 60.
China’s population is estimated to about 1.5 billion people.
That means almost 15% of the total world population.
This is why the Chinese government asked the websites and mobile apps to redesign the pages and interfaces to be easier to use by aged people.
Guidelines for an easier to read websites and mobile apps
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published guidelines, asking web pages and mobile apps carry out urgent modification before the end of September 2021.
Both websites and mobile apps will have to:
- Use bigger and easier to read fonts
- Adjustable text sizes so each user can select the right size for its needs.
- Text-to-speech
- Ban pop-up ads and floating ads
Compliant sites will receive an official “web accessibility” label that will be valid for 2 years.
Why is important for Chinese websites and mobile apps to make the modifications?
Even without the request of Chinese Government, website owners and mobile apps should have made these modifications.
This is a huge opportunity in front of them and they are missing it.
A hard to navigate or see website will be quickly ignored by elderly users.
And nobody wants that.
It is a loss-loss situation.
So, this is the first reason why all Chinese websites and mobile apps should make their designs elderly users friendly.
The second reason is that these website and mobile apps that have the “web accessibility” label will earn points in China’s state-run business credit system.
That means lower bank loan rates and bonus government subsidies.
Super interesting
Some people say that this Chinese Government move is helping the ruling Chinese Communist Party as 1/3 of them are aged 61 or more, and they feel left behind by big-data technology.
“Elderly party members are irreplaceable in propaganda and as role models.
Party-building would be incomplete if this group is omitted,” said the report, authored by the Academy of Marxism at East China University of Political Science and Law.
“And elderly members might need more care from the party organisation due to physical and economic reasons.”
Conclusions
I am happy to see that a Government asks websites and mobile apps transform so senior citizens can take full-advantage of them.
That means bigger and easier to read fonts, adjustable text-sizes, text-to-speech, and no pop-up and floating ads.
This is what the whole world should do, not just the Chinese.
Old people were young at one point, as you and me, and they should have a normal life. They should easily use websites and mobile apps to improve their lives.
Think about it.
Most of the elders still pay with cash, stay at a line to pay invoices, and phone call to get a taxi.
They could achieve all of these with a mobile app.
Their lives would be improved.
And in plus, they would be NEW customers for our websites and mobile apps.
All mobile apps and websites should be obliged to come with a super-simple to understand tutorial.
When you buy a product, you always find inside a How-to use instruction right? That happens because the law says you have to included it.
Same should happen with websites and mobile apps
