Elderly and Smartphone Apps: Case Study with Lightweight MySejahtera

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Ciu Yung Seek
Shih Yin Ooi
Ying Han Pang
Sook Ling Lew
Xin Yun Heng

Abstract

The outbreak of Covid-19 in the past 2 years has made the usage of contact-tracing app almost mandatory in Malaysia. Though the usage is seeming to be simple, but one interesting phenomenon can be observed in Malaysia is that most of the senior citizen are found not using smartphones regularly. While check-in through MySejahtera (the primary contract-tracing app used in Malaysia) for business, premises, and transports has made compulsory, it does bring a lot of inconveniences to the elderly. Many elderlies start to learn how to use smartphone and government has also taking initiative by providing free or low-cost smartphone with data plan. However, it is important to note that many apps are not customized for elderly navigation.  Thus, we would like to study how does an app can be strip down so that the essential functions can be remained and keep minimal for elderly usage. The interface design, color, and button sizes are also important to consider. In this study, MySejahtera has been used as an example to strip down and tested its lightweight version among a group of elderly.

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