Make Indian apps elder-friendly

The Issue

I'll be honest—I'm not always the patient, helpful child I should be. My mother struggles with technology. Like most of my generation, I'm overwhelmed with work and life. When she asks for help navigating an app again, I lose patience. I snap. Then I feel guilty. That guilt made me ask—why is this so hard for her? She's not unintelligent. She ran a home and raised children. But these apps are built only in English—a language she never grew up with. That's not her failure. That's theirs.

In a world where technology is supposed to make our lives easier, it's ironic that our seniors, who could benefit from this ease, often find tech more a barrier than a bridge. Statistics suggest that a significant portion of India's elderly population struggles with technology, mainly due to the language and interface complexities. While India's digital landscape is growing, it's crucial that it grows inclusively.

Our elders, like my mom, aren't asking for the moon—they simply want to be able to use the apps that make everyone's lives easier. Whether it's for connecting with family, shopping for essentials, or accessing health services, apps play a vital role in daily life. Yet, they often lack the accessibility features needed for seniors who aren't native English speakers.

Creating a 'Senior Mode' in apps developed in India could be the game-changer we need. This feature might include language options in regional dialects, simplified user interfaces with larger texts and clearer icons, and even voice-assisted commands. Such enhancements would not just make apps elder-friendly but also empower our seniors, giving them the independence they deserve.

This is an appeal to Indian app developers, tech firms, and stakeholders to recognize the needs of our senior citizens. By incorporating features that embrace linguistic diversity and simplicity, we can ensure that technology serves everyone, regardless of age or language proficiency.

Join me in calling on developers to make Indian apps elder-friendly by adding a 'Senior Mode.' Your signature can make a difference in bridging the digital gap for our elders. Sign the petition now and help create a tech-savvy, inclusive India for all generations.

avatar of the starter
Hrutvik OwalPetition Starter

1

The Issue

I'll be honest—I'm not always the patient, helpful child I should be. My mother struggles with technology. Like most of my generation, I'm overwhelmed with work and life. When she asks for help navigating an app again, I lose patience. I snap. Then I feel guilty. That guilt made me ask—why is this so hard for her? She's not unintelligent. She ran a home and raised children. But these apps are built only in English—a language she never grew up with. That's not her failure. That's theirs.

In a world where technology is supposed to make our lives easier, it's ironic that our seniors, who could benefit from this ease, often find tech more a barrier than a bridge. Statistics suggest that a significant portion of India's elderly population struggles with technology, mainly due to the language and interface complexities. While India's digital landscape is growing, it's crucial that it grows inclusively.

Our elders, like my mom, aren't asking for the moon—they simply want to be able to use the apps that make everyone's lives easier. Whether it's for connecting with family, shopping for essentials, or accessing health services, apps play a vital role in daily life. Yet, they often lack the accessibility features needed for seniors who aren't native English speakers.

Creating a 'Senior Mode' in apps developed in India could be the game-changer we need. This feature might include language options in regional dialects, simplified user interfaces with larger texts and clearer icons, and even voice-assisted commands. Such enhancements would not just make apps elder-friendly but also empower our seniors, giving them the independence they deserve.

This is an appeal to Indian app developers, tech firms, and stakeholders to recognize the needs of our senior citizens. By incorporating features that embrace linguistic diversity and simplicity, we can ensure that technology serves everyone, regardless of age or language proficiency.

Join me in calling on developers to make Indian apps elder-friendly by adding a 'Senior Mode.' Your signature can make a difference in bridging the digital gap for our elders. Sign the petition now and help create a tech-savvy, inclusive India for all generations.

avatar of the starter
Hrutvik OwalPetition Starter

The Decision Makers

NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India)
NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India)
Samir Kumar
Samir Kumar
Country Manager, Amazon India
Sanjay Kumar Jain
Sanjay Kumar Jain
CMD, IRCTC
Sajith Sivanandan
Sajith Sivanandan
MD, Google Pay India
Sameer Nigam
Sameer Nigam
CEO, PhonePe

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Petition created on 29 April 2026