ENG-2014 — Page 356

16

The Media, Communications and Information Technology

Digital Inclusion

The government implements a digital inclusion programme to help needy groups adopt technologies to enhance their quality of life and integrate with society, with targeted measures for students from low-income families, persons with disabilities and the elderly.

Internet Learning Support Programme

Some 95,000 low-income families have enrolled in the government's Internet Learning Support Programme, which provided about 67,000 services in 2014 to help the families acquire affordable computers and internet access services, and supports their children in using the internet effectively for learning.

Promoting ICT Adoption among Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly

To facilitate access to online information and services by persons with disabilities, the government organised activities to raise awareness and encourage accessible web design. Over 100 organisations from different sectors, were commended in 2014 for making their web content accessible.

Twelve seniors were commended in the Smart Elderly IT Star Awards for their exemplary use of ICT.

Supporting Underprivileged Groups

Seven mobile apps were made available for various needy groups for free download and use. One of them won the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2014. New mobile apps will be launched in 2015 for visually impaired students, hearing impaired persons, persons with dementia and children with dyslexia.

Film Classification System

Hong Kong adopts a three-tier film classification system: Category I (suitable for all ages); Category II, which is subdivided into Category IIA (not suitable for children) and Category IIB (not suitable for young persons and children); and Category II! (for persons who have attained the age of 18 years only). The aim is to allow adults wide access to films while protecting young persons under the age of 18 from exposure to potentially harmful materials. Category IIA and IIB classifications are advisory while the age restriction for Category III films is mandatory.

In 2014, 1,996 films were submitted for classification, compared with 1,945 in 2013. Of these, 666 were classified Category I, 585 Category IIA, 590 Category IIB, and 155 Category III. Film trailers, instructional films and cultural films intended for public exhibition can be exempted from classification. During the year, 11,305 such films were examined and exempted from classification.

Film classification standards are kept in line with society's expectations by regular surveys of community views and consultation with a statutory panel of advisers, comprising about 300 members drawn from different levels of society.

292