Older people the Internet, computers and phones.

sityeuropa

sityeuropa

sityeuropa

Associate
Joined
3 Oct 2014
Posts
1,780
I was thinking about when you get older to try to ensure that you always keep up with technology. I suppose future technology may be kinder to the younger generation as it's hard to imagine something to change society as drastically as computers have done in the past 30-40 years.

I'm guessing the concept of computers / smartphones will be similar in the next 30-40 years. So hopefully it will be easier to keep up and it won't be something completely new and alien to us.

I have a relative in their 60's who has never even touched a computer or mobile phone and don't wish to try or learn about them. So it's hard for them to relate what we talk about in everyday conversations.

Anyone else have elder relatives who seem to have skipped the computer generation.
 
Last edited:
I'm going to see somebody tomorrow who needs advice on smartphones as he simply has no idea about them. I assume he's been using an older phone and it's a big leap going from that to a smart one.

I've also ran a workshop for the over 65s. It was to do with communicating through technology. They're a lot better now but in the beginning they needed help with basic keyboard and mouse skills. Some would pick the mouse up and click at the screen, others would touch the monitor thinking it was a touchscreen device. It's quite surprising how little some people know.
 
All I can say is thank goodness for the iPad. My 87 year old Grandma, who never used a computer in her life has picked up email skills no problem - can even take pictures and send them to me. Meanwhile some much more computer literate family members struggle to do basic stuff on Android.
 
I find a lot of people aren't interested in learning and will just balls something up and complain loudly until it gets done for them. That isn't just an old person thing though.

I think with a lot of people they just assume that they won't ever pick it up and so don't really make an effort. For someone to be 60 and complaining that they don't know computers means they showed no interest in them when they first appeared in the workplace when they were in their 40s, and really there's no excuse for that.
 
My Mother was really into technology and was never off Skype, she played computer games and emailed everyone. She was in her late 70's
She even had an iPod, a Kindle and a big fax/scanner/printer thing.

If you can sell it as a good way to communicate then they are interested.
 
I know older family members who worked in technical jobs, always had the latest TV, VCR, cars etc... but just aren't terribly interested in modern computer technology other than the internet to research other areas of interest. They always cancel updates and pull the plug out when Windows is shutting down and says do not unplug. They also didn't get on with smartphones as the hassle of learning it just isn't worth the reward.
 
It depends on the character, good freind of mine falls into this category, but he is starting to get the hang of how useful the internet can be, albeit in terms of "that computer of yours can't tell us what time the local tip closes at can it" sort of thing.

I think its ok tbh, its not like people refusing to adopt technology is harmful, if anything maybe its better they avoid it than brave the dangers of the internet, even folk who are wise to the ways of the world and could spot a pickpocket or a hustler a mile off could easily fall into a trap on the internet.
 
I think its the speed at which tech is advancing, I try my best to keep up with the developments in current and future tech but I find myself struggling with some things now.

A lot of it is down to complication, it is easier for me to take a note on the post-it I have on the inside of my phone case rather than wade through my phone looking for the app to do it, writing it then saving it.

I get laughed at at work for it but it quicker and easier
 
The thing is this.. my folks are both 65 and I love them to pieces, BUT, seriously, first it was computers.. now it's mobile phones.. I really DO need one of those ****** t-shirts that say no i won't fix your phone/pc.. actually the stage I'm at it should just say F off lol.. It seems basically that now anyone.. and I have 9 uncles and aunts on my mums side.. if they are buying something 'tech'.. they have to speak to me.. I think word has got out.. I should be flattered really, especially if they are buying something 500 quid+ which to them is half a house!!! lol.. Sometimes it is overwhelming, but it's nice to be relied upon :P
 
sityeuropa said:
I have a relative in their 60's who has never even touched a computer or mobile phone and don't wish to try or learn about them. So it's hard for them to relate what we talk about in everyday conversations.

Anyone else have elder relatives who seem to have skipped the computer generation.
Click to expand...

It isn't like they were old when computers were first commonly available - never touched a computer or mobile phone? Sounds like your relative is a Luddite.
 
I dread getting calls from family & friends if it's pc-related.

Typical examples from the 40 to 65 age bracket are:
  • not being able to access the pictures on an external drive, eventually finding out they'd unplugged the USB cable for no reason,
  • buying a new pc and cursing the sales assistant for not explaining why the internet didn't come with it,
  • watching someone trying to use a mouse to access the display menus on their monitor,
  • buying a Galaxy Ace thinking it would be just like my S5 because it had the word Galaxy in the name (and trying to blame me for it),
  • closing down their web browser and restarting it every time they go to a new website :mad:,
  • buying a relative an external drive to backup their photos only to find out a few months later that they've accidentally deleted some of them, with the backup drive unused, in its box, in a drawer :rolleyes:.
 
adam98150 said:
I'm going to see somebody tomorrow who needs advice on smartphones as he simply has no idea about them. I assume he's been using an older phone and it's a big leap going from that to a smart one.

I've also ran a workshop for the over 65s. It was to do with communicating through technology. They're a lot better now but in the beginning they needed help with basic keyboard and mouse skills. Some would pick the mouse up and click at the screen, others would touch the monitor thinking it was a touchscreen device. It's quite surprising how little some people know.
Click to expand...


enkoda said:
I dread getting calls from family & friends if it's pc-related.

Typical examples from the 40 to 65 age bracket are:
  • not being able to access the pictures on an external drive, eventually finding out they'd unplugged the USB cable for no reason,
  • buying a new pc and cursing the sales assistant for not explaining why the internet didn't come with it,
  • watching someone trying to use a mouse to access the display menus on their monitor,
  • buying a Galaxy Ace thinking it would be just like my S5 because it had the word Galaxy in the name (and trying to blame me for it),
  • closing down their web browser and restarting it every time they go to a new website :mad:,
  • buying a relative an external drive to backup their photos only to find out a few months later that they've accidentally deleted some of them, with the backup drive unused, in its box, in a drawer :rolleyes:.
Click to expand...

 
enkoda said:
I dread getting calls from family & friends if it's pc-related.

Typical examples from the 40 to 65 age bracket are:

Click to expand...

Am 43 mate, tell me something I don't know about computers? :p

I been into computers since 1982 so you need to up your age bracket a little.

Its the 50-60`s crew that don't have a clue, not there fault as home computers where not around then. ;)
 
enkoda said:
I dread getting calls from family & friends if it's pc-related.

Typical examples from the 40 to 65 age bracket are:
  • not being able to access the pictures on an external drive, eventually finding out they'd unplugged the USB cable for no reason,
  • buying a new pc and cursing the sales assistant for not explaining why the internet didn't come with it,
  • watching someone trying to use a mouse to access the display menus on their monitor,
  • buying a Galaxy Ace thinking it would be just like my S5 because it had the word Galaxy in the name (and trying to blame me for it),
  • closing down their web browser and restarting it every time they go to a new website :mad:,
  • buying a relative an external drive to backup their photos only to find out a few months later that they've accidentally deleted some of them, with the backup drive unused, in its box, in a drawer :rolleyes:.
Click to expand...

My response is now "no sorry, I have no idea what that is. I'm a web developer, not a PC tech".
 
Yeah, don't be tech support. The only interaction I have with family over computer stuff is "sorry, I only really deal with servers so I can't help" and "I think you'd be happy with a Mac".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom