WeChat, the bridge connecting the family love

Smartphones have become an important way for us to connect with the world. However, many older adults have difficulty using them. Some are unfamiliar with new technology, while others have not had enough opportunities to learn. As a young person who grew up with technology, I wanted to use my knowledge to help them.

During the summer vacation of 2023, I took part in community service activities. One day, I saw a notice asking for volunteers to teach older adults how to use smartphones. I signed up immediately because I thought it would be a meaningful way to help my community.

After talking with the community staff, I prepared a lesson called “WeChat: Connecting Families.” WeChat is one of the most widely used social media apps in China. It can help older adults stay in touch with family members who live far away and make some daily tasks more convenient.

At the beginning of the class, I greeted everyone and introduced the lesson. I first explained how to register and log in. Then, I showed them how to add friends, send messages, make video calls, send voice messages, and use WeChat Pay. I demonstrated each step slowly and gave them time to practice. Everyone listened carefully. Some participants even brought notebooks and wrote down each step. When they successfully sent a voice message or completed a video call, they smiled with excitement. Seeing their happiness made me feel that my work was meaningful.

I also faced some difficulties while teaching. Some participants had trouble reading the text on the screen because of poor eyesight. Others found it difficult to touch the right buttons because their fingers were less flexible. To help them, I increased the font size, enlarged the icons, and repeated each step patiently. I also worked with them one at a time when they needed extra help. Watching them slowly become more comfortable with their phones made all my effort worthwhile.

This activity gave me useful experience in communication and teaching. More importantly, it helped me understand the value of supporting older adults. The class was not only about learning how to use a smartphone. It also gave us a chance to communicate, connect, and learn from one another.

In the future, I hope more young people will take part in similar activities. With patience, knowledge, and care, we can help older adults enjoy the convenience of technology and feel more connected to their families and communities.