How to help the 80%?
Hi
I have just been watching the Local news here in Yorkshire, where they had a piece about the older generation and the Internet.
It highlighted two issues; Issue number one that a staggering 80% over 65s do not use the Internet at all, and secondly more men than women over 65 do so.
As we are going into a more technology society it is felt that the over 65s are missing out, as more government forms are being placed on line, missing contacting relatives that live far away, and yes, online shopping.
The piece goes on the UK charity Age UK are helping these people via helpers in order to go online shopping, form filling, contacting relatives etc.
This got me thinking about how much wisdom we are missing out from this people, and secondly how do we go about helping these people to get online?
Thank you.
Antonio
Recent Comments
6
You bring up a good point Antonio. One that I don't know the answer. If it wasn't for my career that involved computer work I probably would be in the 80%. It is like we have a chore in making online appealing to the older generation..
Ray
Thanks for thinking of our generation! We try to do just that with our website. This age group is our audience.
C & P
Okay, so my grandmother is the FB fiend that my grandfather is not. But my grandfather learned computers way before the internet AND as the internet was coming out. He's quite computer savvy, probably more than me. But he's not the one on FB.
Why am I sharing this story?
Because my grandma was freaking hilarious when she was learning it. I'm sure everyone has seen 'grandma' posts on FB. My grandmother used to talk in all caps in texts and FB. She could see it better. She'd accidentally post to my way instead of message me. And I've seen older folks not realize posting a question on a restaurant's MAIN FB page (like the world wide popular Applebee's) isn't the same thing as calling the local Applebee's. They can't tell you if your wife left her purse there. LOL
So while I think it's great for the 65+ crowd to be online, they have to want to and it's a bigger adjustment for them. Most of their lives has been dealing with local stuff. The internet is only 20+ years old. I remember my first dialup, in 1996. I was 16. My grandfather was likely 50ish at the time. He knew computers, though. So it was easier for him. My grandmother, not so much.
Interesting questions you raise. However, most who aren't online don't want to. They don't see why they need to. You'd have to present it to them in advantages they'd love.
I think they have to have the initiative and then we can help them. ("They" ha ha! I'm 76.) When I was the director of a small public library about 20 years ago, I was helping people use the internet at a VERY basic level. Still remember one guy who had a PhD but didn't know what the back button did on a browser.
Nice post!
Sometimes elderly people are much
connected than much younger people.
It depends on their surroundings I think.
Have a great day!
Ingrid