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- The “País Conectado” (Connected Country) study conducted by WOM and Cadem revealed that 77% of older adults trust digital transactions and 52% have improved their quality of life thanks to mobile applications. However, 40% report having been victims of a cyberattack or scam attempt in the past year, and 85% have received messages containing suspicious links.
- To continue fostering digital adoption among senior citizens, WOM created the WOM Vecino program, designed to provide them with the tools needed to navigate the digital world with complete autonomy.
Far from the myth that older adults fear or avoid technology, the “País Conectado” study reveals a high rate of digital adoption among adults over 60. In fact, this age group leads in appreciating the utility of technology: 75% of respondents in this segment state that mobile applications help them save time in their daily lives—the highest percentage in the sample, surpassing the national average (61%) and even young adults aged 18 to 29 (55%).
This time savings also translates into a direct improvement in overall well-being. Fifty-two percent (52%) of people aged 61 to 80 report that mobile apps have improved their quality of life, compared to 37% among youth aged 18 to 29 and a national average of 48%. Furthermore, 80% of older adults have already replaced traditionally in-person activities with virtual tools.
One of the study’s most revealing findings lies in the financial realm. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of individuals between 61 and 80 years old reported feeling confident or very confident when making payments or transfers via mobile apps, outperforming the national average (74%) as well as younger demographics aged 18–29 (72%) and 30–45 (70%).
However, this high level of financial trust contrasts sharply with exposure to potential digital fraud. The study shows that 40% of older adults, or someone in their immediate circle, have been victims or targets of a cyberattack or scam attempt in the past year. This threat translates primarily into receiving fraudulent links: 85% report having received messages with suspicious links (via SMS, email, or social media) in the past month.
WOM Vecino: Digitizing Older Adults from Arica to Punta Arenas
To continue contributing to the digital adoption of older adults, WOM launched WOM Vecino, a digital literacy program aimed at seniors. Its mission is to equip them with practical skills and concrete tools to navigate the digital environment with full independence and safeguard their security against cyber threats.
The workshops, which have already benefited over 100 seniors across the country in just one month, consist of in-person training sessions covering everyday tasks such as internet browsing, sending messages and making video calls via WhatsApp, and using social media safely. The sessions also address cybersecurity, teaching participants how to identify suspicious SMS links and protect their accounts from unauthorized access. The training sessions are conducted by WOM’s own employees across more than 30 branch locations nationwide.
“These results permanently debunk the myth that older adults are detached from the digital world. That is why at WOM we are doubling down on our commitment to inclusion through WOM Vecino, delivering digital capabilities so that seniors can spot potential cyber fraud, gain true autonomy, and use technology as an ally that truly simplifies their daily lives,” explains Valeria Andía, Sustainability Manager at WOM.
To extend support and reinforce learning beyond the classroom, WOM also created the “WOM Vecino Digital Literacy Collection,” a four-part set of practical guides: “Internet from Scratch,” “WhatsApp from Scratch,” “Social Media to Stay Connected,” and “Cybersecurity to Stay Protected.”
Additionally, the company is delivering these training sessions in partnership with regional municipalities to bring workshops directly to community centers, as demonstrated by its current joint initiative with the Municipality of San Miguel.
“Our commitment goes beyond deploying cell towers; it is also about connecting older adults through this learning space. WOM Vecino is a concrete expression of that commitment, and as a company, we are promoting this digital skills program with an intergenerational approach, as our employees—mostly digital natives—are the ones leading the workshops,” concluded Valeria Andía.
