Booming Millennials: Making New Generation Technology User-Friendly to All Generations
I know from firsthand experience that using technology can be frustrating and intimidating for some seniors. My mother is seventy-two years of age and lives in Conway, Arkansas. She calls me every time something is not working as she thinks it should, be it her phone or computer. I have tried walking her through the process via phone and she usually tells me, that is ok; we can do it some other time, meaning she will wait until I drive to her and fix it for her.
I have found that if certain steps are followed it makes it a bit easier. I am quite sure that others can apply these steps.
- Take the time to show them how things operate (email, zoom, skype, google)
- Speak in plain English and not in technical terms
- Give them the opportunity to write things down so they can have the steps they need when needed
- Always be Encouraging and Supportive and most of all Be Patient.
Millennials are known for their technology use, but older generation also embrace digital life!!!
Millennials often lead older Americans in their adoption and use of technology, and this largely holds true today. But there has been significant growth in tech adoption since 2012 among older generations – particularly Gen Xers and Baby Boomers.
In my research I learned that more than nine-in-ten Millennials (93% of those who turn ages 23 to 38 this year) own smartphones, compared with 90% of Gen Xers (those ages 39 to 54 this year), 68% of Baby Boomers (ages 55 to 73) and 40% of the Silent Generation (74 to 91), according to a new analysis of a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted in early 2019.
Bridging the Gap
The gap between millennial and baby boomers is probably one of the most noticeable. For younger workers, tech-enabled mobile work and digital collaboration might be contributing to valuing qualities like flexibility and innovation. In contrast, older workers might prescribe to a more traditional work model like logging a full day at work before going home. For older workers, it could be a good idea to make the training process as straightforward as possible. Older workers can be as enthusiastic about gaining new skills as any other employee, and accessibility – such as through web-based, self-paced training – could make it easier for older employees. (DeakinCo., 2018)
Myths vs. Realities
Myth #1: Computers are only for younger people
Reality Computer use is growing fastest in the over-65 population. And as the baby boomers age, the digital divide between younger and older Americans will continue to close.
Myth #2: Computers are too complicated for seniors
Reality Seniors are adapting to computers. In April 2012 the Pew Research Center found for the first time that more than half of older adults (defined as those ages 65 or older) were internet users. Today, 59% of seniors report they go online—a six-percentage point increase in the course of a year—and 47% say they have a high-speed broadband connection at home. In addition, 77% of older adults have a cell phone, up from 69% in April 2012.
Myth #3: Computer use doesn’t have much impact on healthy aging
Reality Phoenix Center study demonstrated that internet use by the elderly reduced depression by 20%! Computer use also promotes brain health, combining reading and interactivity in a powerful way.
Myth #4: Online social networking is only for young people
Reality Social networking is bringing seniors closer to friends and loved ones, and helping them make contact with new friends around the world.
Works Cited
DeakinCo. 2018.
Forbes.com/sites/robinseatonjefferson/2019/06/28
Nice post!
I tend to be the technology guru for my grandma. She lives in Kentucky. I will call and talk to her, and she will start explaining an issue she is having with her phone, computer, Facebook account, TV, etc. I try my best to help her over the phone, but sometimes it doesn’t always resolve the issue. I tend to have my cousin (that lives in her neck of the woods) to go help my grandma out, but typically she uses these words “I’ll just wait until you come to visit.” I try my best to make weekend trips every other month, but that hasn’t exactly been possible here lately due to COVID-19.
I believe you are spot on with your advice (taking time, speaking in plain language, writing things down, always being encouraging and supportive, and be patient). If my grandma appreciates how I take the time to help her with being up-to-date with her technology devices, I am 100% sure that other seniors are appreciative too.
Final thought: Your “Myth” and “Reality” section is pretty cool. I bet social networking is really booming and helping seniors during our current pandemic. I feel like a study could be done about that.
Great post!
I am a Gen Xer, but have older people in my life that I have to help with their technology. My husbands aunt is the most needy! I have found that when we come across a problem, I write down all the steps to fix it so she can look at it when I am not there. The things she needs help with most are accidently hitting a button on the remote and not knowing how to get back to normal, or do I know why Netflix won’t work? (I just Google the error code and tell her what it is.) Your tips are helpful, I think the most important one is just having patience.
nice post! when it comes to technology, I help a lot of people who are older. because since older people don’t know a lot about technology, they get confused very easily and needs help. I have helped my aunt who lives overseas, when she is stuck I would tell her to send me screenshots and then I would help her to navigate a specific button or settings.
Your table from Pew Research is very helpful to illustrate the upward trend. I think your whole article is important, especially in the new peri- and post-pandemic climate; online activity is not slowing, not going away, and I think smart business owners will recognize that older people have more money (I would argue) and being accessible to them online is a win/win.
But more importantly, if we all remember that WE will be the “older generation” sooner than we think, maybe we can keep older users in mind more. Bigger fonts, less “fluff”, and like you said, patience—those are the keys. I think the biggest obstacle older users face is simply lack of experience with tech. You “young’uns” came out of the womb with a smartphone, but people like me didn’t even see computers until college. I think older users are intimidated, and with experience, those concerns melt away. As time goes on, the older users will have had tech experience and won’t be as intimidated—but the issues with failing eyesight and hand/eye coordination and stuff like that will still impact their tech usage. (And as far as the “Silent Generation”–my mom and my father-in-law are both in their mid-70’s and more active online than most people I know, so I think “Silent Generation” is not really the most apt label!
This is a wonderful post. I love how you added anecdotal information about your mother. I can tell you care about this and your past experiences are so valuable. This is a great reminder that aspects of technology that we see as simple may be intimidating and confusing for others. This can be frustrating for both sides, but like you mentioned, patience is key. I also know that there is much to learn from our senior population, which is just as valuable as the tech expertise that us youngers provide. So, we both end up teaching each other in the process.
This topic hits close to home. I work at a software company and my supervisor is an older gentleman. Great guy and has a ton of learned skills, like navigating difficult client conversations. With that said, he just does not get our platform at all. It is extremely frustrating to hear him deliver incorrect information about our product to clients knowing that I will have to go behind him and clean up the mess. With that said, I know the frustration is equal, if not greater, on his end. On the other hand, there are other people at the company in his age range that adapted without a hitch. Older generations embracing technology is a great thing for them, and the people in their lives.
I love your section about myths vs realities. Your post makes me laugh as I am working and listening to my mom turn on the TV with harmony remote, the Xbox and picking her shows while my mother-in-law watches in awe. My mother-in-law has zero patience when it comes to technology, but my mom embraces it. My dad just yells at it and believes hitting it solves the problem. I think there has to be a willingness to learn in order to grasp the technology, but that can apply to literally anything.
Right off the bat, I can agree that using technology can be frustrating for senior citizens. Millennials are truly the ones who teach elders the new advancements in technology and how to use them. The four myths stated are ones that I can see portrayed in society but are incorrect.
I have struggles with my mother as well when its comes to using technology. I feel as though communicating technology with a parent is a topic of discussion. It can be stressful when my mother thinks she knows it all. She can make it difficult for me to help her. Computers are definitely not just for a certain age group. I always feel lame when there are people twice my age and they are more engage in social media than I am. I have an Instagram and that’s pretty much it. I have yet to get on Tik Tok. I agree that computers can help with reducing depression. It more interactive for sure than just watching TV all day.