Event Recap丨Panda Youth Volunteer Association Conducts Smartphone Popularization Activity in the Community
Published on: December 18, 2025 | Views: 7
With the widespread adoption of digital life, smartphones have become an essential tool in daily routines. To help the elderly bridge the digital divide, on November 28th, 2025, student volunteers from the Sichuan University – Pittsburgh Institute (SCUPI) visited the Baijiachang Community to carry out a volunteer service activity themed “Smartphone Usage Tutorial.”
The activity adopted a format of “group instruction + one-on-one tutoring,” aiming to tangibly address the practical difficulties faced by the elderly—such as being “afraid to use, unable to use, or unable to use well” their smartphones.
1. Detailed Explanation of Basic Functions
At the beginning of the activity, volunteers used carefully prepared PowerPoint slides to systematically introduce high-frequency smartphone usage scenarios for the elderly.
The explanations revolved closely around the practical needs of elderly life, focusing on the following four core areas:
1.1 App and Information Search: How to quickly find apps on the phone and search for needed information online.
1.2. Mobile Payment and Security: Learning the steps for online payments and understanding important security precautions.
1.3. Maps and Travel Navigation: Mastering the use of map applications to look up locations, bus routes, and real-time navigation.
1.4. Convenient Online Shopping: Getting started with mainstream e-commerce platforms and learning the basic process of browsing products and placing orders.
Combining the PowerPoint content, volunteers provided detailed explanations of various basic smartphone functions. While demonstrating, they patiently explained and emphasized key steps. The elderly participants closely followed the volunteers’ guidance, attempting to operate their phones.
2. One-on-One Hands-On Tutoring
Given the differences in the elderly participants’ lifestyles, phone models, and familiarity with smart devices, the activity moved into a “one-on-one” tutoring session after the group instruction. Volunteers moved among the seats and patiently answered each elderly participant’s questions.
During the tutoring, an interesting episode occurred. A participant’s phone suddenly rang with a WeChat video call notification. As everyone turned to look, it turned out that another elderly participant sitting nearby was applying what they had just learned. With the volunteer’s guidance, they successfully made a WeChat call to their neighbor. This moment not only demonstrated the immediate effectiveness of the teaching but also made the atmosphere more lively. The elderly participants genuinely experienced the convenience brought by smart communication through hands-on practice.
3. Activity Summary and Outlook
At the end of the activity, volunteers presented carefully prepared cultural and creative products to the elderly participants, each small gift carrying sincere greetings and blessings for the community’s seniors.
This visit to the Baijiachang Community was not only a practical smartphone tutorial but also a warm intergenerational dialogue. The students, with the enthusiasm and patience of youth, helped elderly friends bridge the digital divide through hands-on guidance. As they witnessed the elderly transition from confusion to delight, from hesitation to proactive attempts, the students deeply experienced the joy of service and a sense of social responsibility. This activity shortened the distance brought by technology and connected the warmth of human hearts, allowing the fruits of informatization development to truly move from “fingertips” into “hearts.”