As the trend of population aging continues to intensify, the issue of elderly safety has become a pressing concern, attracting attention from all sectors of society. To gain a deeper understanding of the threats of Internet fraud to the elderly, the School of Journalism and Communication recently established a “4-together” teacher and student social practice team for the research of the awareness mechanism and prevention strategy of elderly people against fraudulent information. The team was led by Ma Changhong, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the School, co-directed by teachers Yu Mengli, Li Weijia, and Gao Lei, and joined by a number of graduate students. The team visited Tianjin Anti-Telecom Fraud Center, as well as Nankai and Jinan Districts to understand the impact of Internet disinformation on the elderly and the anti-fraud measures taken by relevant departments.
From June 24 to July 7, with the strong support of the NKU Security Department, Retirement Office, and Haitang Subdistrict, the team conducted in-depth interviews with a large number of elderly residents in the NKU North Village, Southwest Village, and Longxingli neighborhoods, as well as the Jingxin Garden Party and Mass Service Center in Jinnan District, collecting a wealth of firsthand information. The research revealed that the elderly lack knowledge of new types of fraud and have a generally weak anti-fraud awareness. The team used simple language and vivid examples to educate the elderly about various fraud methods, identification techniques, and prevention measures. They also used scenario simulations to recreate common graphics and text and video fraud scenarios in an interactive way, helping the elderly to learn how to identify fraudulent information, master anti-fraud skills, and enhance self-protection abilities in a relaxed atmosphere.
On July 4, the whole team visited the Tianjin Anti-Telecom Fraud Center, where they had an in-depth discussion with relevant leaders and frontline police officers. The Center serves as an essential defense line in protecting the city’s residents, with a team of experienced police officers and technical experts who work in the anti-fraud front line all the time, strategically outsmarting fraudsters. During the discussion, the police officers shared their practical experiences and introduced the latest trends and common practices of telecom and Internet frauds as well as the key anti-fraud tactics. They pointed out that as technology advances, the tactics of fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated - from phone and short message frauds in the past to Internet dating and investment frauds nowadays, with various forms that are difficult to prevent effectively. Therefore, strengthening public awareness and anti-fraud education and enhancing people's ability to identify fraudulent information are crucial for preventing telecom and Internet fraud.
Through a series of visits and research, the team members not only gained valuable practical experience, but also reflected on how to leverage their professional knowledge to contribute to the prevention of fraud among the elderly. Cao Yixuanzi, a 2023 master’s student, said, “We hope to try our best to help more elderly people to stay away from frauds and enjoy a happy and peaceful later life.”
Back from the field research, the team will compile a comprehensive and systematic report on anti-fraud strategies from various dimensions such as education and training, early warning mechanisms, and both online and offline support, to ensure they are practical and implementable. The team will continue to monitor the latest anti-fraud developments for the elderly, and contribute to creating a safer and more harmonious social environment.
