From GPS to online banking, technology has forever changed the way we interact with the world around us. As teens and young adults embrace the digital age with open arms, older adults are lagging behind.
In 2023, 76 percent of seniors reported owning a smartphone, compared with 97 percent of the younger generation. While technology adoption has risen steadily among seniors in the past few years, studies show that many older adults still lack the necessary skills to fully participate in the digital world.
Why do we age out of technology?
Emily Jones Joanisse, CEO and co-founder of Connected Canadians, believes she knows the cause of this generational divide. Through her charitable organization, Jones Joanisse and her team work with seniors to promote digital literacy and inclusion.
“Once people retire, they’re no longer using technology every day in the same context as the rest of us,” she says. “That departure from work life, where technology is ever present, is definitely a big factor.”
Keeping up with technology is like riding a high-speed train. Once you get off, it’s challenging to get back on.
The AEIOU method
In her TEDx talk, Helping Seniors Cross the Digital Divide, Isabella Martinez describes her technique for teaching seniors about new technology:
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Ask |
Find out what they already know and what they want to learn. |
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Explain |
Offer an overview of the lesson so they know what to expect. |
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Invite |
Give them the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns. |
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One-on-one |
Provide personal attention so they can move at their own pace. |
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Understand |
Tailor your lesson to their personal interests or needs. |
Analog obstacles in a digital world
Compared to the younger generation, seniors face many obstacles to technological learning, both physical and psychological.
No entry point
Technology builds upon itself, with new versions and upgrades for devices coming out every day. For the uninitiated, this makes it extremely difficult to find a place to start.
High prices
Smart devices are expensive and, while that price might seem worthwhile to the younger generation, they can be outright unaffordable to retired adults on fixed incomes.
User unfriendly
Modern technology is simply not designed with older bodies in mind. Common conditions like hearing or vision loss or arthritis can make it impossible to use certain devices.
Lack of motivation
Without the foundational knowledge of how it can improve their lives, many older adults view technology as an unnecessary complication.
A gizmo by any other name
A recent study found that older adults had an easier time learning how to use a new device if they personified it first. Giving your phone or tablet a human name can help you see your new device as a friend rather than a frustration.
Why digital literacy is essential for older adults
We are entering an era during which there will be more people over the age of 65 than ever before, and more than 90 percent of seniors want to age at home, according to recent surveys. Technology may be the key to maintaining their independence.
Smart devices offer services like health and wellness monitoring, fitness training, and new ways to connect with family and friends. If we can find a way to bridge the digital divide, our older generation stands to benefit the most from technological innovation.
Getting back on the digital horse
It can be daunting to learn about new technology on your own, which is why organizations like Connected Canadians provide free lessons and workshops, covering all kinds of topics, from sharing photos to shopping online.
If you want to become a pro with a particular device, major tech retailers like Apple offer in-store tutorials specifically designed for people with hearing and vision loss. .
For seniors who are already internet savvy, YouTube channels like Tech Life Unity and the Senior Tech Club offer free video classes.
How young people can help
Jones Joanisse says the key to teaching seniors is finding their motivation. “It’s very important that the topic be something they’ve decided on versus something that we’ve randomly picked for them.” So, rather than forcing your grandmother through an iPhone tutorial, show her how to check the weather or start a video chat with her friends.
Remember to be patient. We were all new to technology once, and there may soon come a day when you feel left behind. Rather than sink further into the digital divide, we can use this time as an opportunity to connect and grow closer.
Teenage tech troubles
Technology poses unique challenges to every generation. While older adults may be slower to master new devices, teenagers may struggle with other forms of digital literacy.
Fact checking
Young people are often much faster at finding information online, but an overreliance on digital media also makes them more vulnerable to misinformation. One report found that less than half of teenagers actually take the time to verify the things they read online.
Digital agency
Growing up with social media can blur the boundaries between public and private life. Because of this, young people are also more likely to struggle with managing boundaries in online relationships and may feel pressured to always be available.
Alexa Everett
Makena Wardle
Nancy Hillis