I note with interest the percentage of older consumers using broadband. And yet Netflix is ditching DVDs. I live in the retirement community where this decision is causing major upset, including in two of our four movie groups, who depend on DVDs for their offerings. (Not to mention the millions of people of all ages living in rural areas.)
Very useful article...but sometimes I feel like it's a losing battle. No sooner do I get the hang of one thing than something else takes its place. Currently struggling with QR codes which seem to be ubiquitous. The worst is in restaurants, often in airports where the customer is already stressed out, where you can't get anything to eat without doing a digital dance.
Aug 26, 2023·edited Aug 26, 2023Liked by Don Akchin
Some good news: Young people aren't as tech savvy as we think, even as users rather than doers, and they aren't thrilled with tech, either: That's why so many own record players. Also, the phrase "digital native" seems to have been invented to enable age discrimination in job ads. Thanks for steering readers to helpful organizations, Don. I volunteered with one back in the 90s(!), SeniorNet, which helped then-seniors get online and connect. The best thing? Real life meetings. The worst? Drama in chat rooms, which is how I learned that social media sucks. 😂
So true. I’m sometimes fascinated when I visit my dad in Florida who is pretty adept at using his iPhone, multiple remotes to access his over 300 tv stations ( dad..do you really need that many), uses Alexa to turn on lights in dark rooms before he enters. He instructs me that Alexa sill play whatever type of music I prefer ( he likes Irish music), will be my alarm clock for my morning walk ( ok I ended up pulling the plug on his system cause I couldn’t get her to stop talking in the morning…turns out she doesn’t respond when I keep calling her Siri). Sometimes technology is. Bold new frontier but I love how I can use my phone for directions s I travel, etc. keep up the good work.
This is such an important article. I am an older adult and fairly tech savvy, but still there is so much to learn and be aware of - and so many scams to trip me up..
TV's with built-in streaming capability are really inexpensive now. That's good because there is no way to get one repaired anymore. With two TV's that require 3 remotes each, we need 12 batteries that require replacement at random moments, usually with no warning.
Excellent! Since on-line providers still requires adequate facility to access that help, I'm all for more in-person assistance. Senior Planet (AARP) NYC provides it, as does our NY Public Library, and several local senior centers. Encourage houses of faith to provide in-person programs or tech fairs to match up young volunteers with older users. Let's make it easier and safer to get us up to speed!
My parents are 86 and 93, and quite independent. But technology is definitely a challenge. Thank you for making the point that this is a two-sided situation. My biggest concern with technology use for the oldest among us is potentially being taken advantage of when singing up for subscriptions. Turns out my mother had been paying for a dial-up account that she stopped using a decade ago. Also, a major virus-protection company had my mother and father signed up for virus protection plans on a computer they share. Took me a lot of calls to get refunds and straighten it out. Even for me, at 64 and still working full time, younger folks will give me a sympathetic sigh if I don’t catch up as quickly as they do technologically. It’s a new world every day!
I note with interest the percentage of older consumers using broadband. And yet Netflix is ditching DVDs. I live in the retirement community where this decision is causing major upset, including in two of our four movie groups, who depend on DVDs for their offerings. (Not to mention the millions of people of all ages living in rural areas.)
Very useful article...but sometimes I feel like it's a losing battle. No sooner do I get the hang of one thing than something else takes its place. Currently struggling with QR codes which seem to be ubiquitous. The worst is in restaurants, often in airports where the customer is already stressed out, where you can't get anything to eat without doing a digital dance.
Some good news: Young people aren't as tech savvy as we think, even as users rather than doers, and they aren't thrilled with tech, either: That's why so many own record players. Also, the phrase "digital native" seems to have been invented to enable age discrimination in job ads. Thanks for steering readers to helpful organizations, Don. I volunteered with one back in the 90s(!), SeniorNet, which helped then-seniors get online and connect. The best thing? Real life meetings. The worst? Drama in chat rooms, which is how I learned that social media sucks. 😂
So true. I’m sometimes fascinated when I visit my dad in Florida who is pretty adept at using his iPhone, multiple remotes to access his over 300 tv stations ( dad..do you really need that many), uses Alexa to turn on lights in dark rooms before he enters. He instructs me that Alexa sill play whatever type of music I prefer ( he likes Irish music), will be my alarm clock for my morning walk ( ok I ended up pulling the plug on his system cause I couldn’t get her to stop talking in the morning…turns out she doesn’t respond when I keep calling her Siri). Sometimes technology is. Bold new frontier but I love how I can use my phone for directions s I travel, etc. keep up the good work.
This is such an important article. I am an older adult and fairly tech savvy, but still there is so much to learn and be aware of - and so many scams to trip me up..
TV's with built-in streaming capability are really inexpensive now. That's good because there is no way to get one repaired anymore. With two TV's that require 3 remotes each, we need 12 batteries that require replacement at random moments, usually with no warning.
Excellent! Since on-line providers still requires adequate facility to access that help, I'm all for more in-person assistance. Senior Planet (AARP) NYC provides it, as does our NY Public Library, and several local senior centers. Encourage houses of faith to provide in-person programs or tech fairs to match up young volunteers with older users. Let's make it easier and safer to get us up to speed!
Oh, I'm reminded of the days with wall phones and party lines and accidentally listening in on other's calls, kinda accidentally, just sayin'.
Thanks for your story. The sharks are everywhere and their disguises are increasingly clever.
My parents are 86 and 93, and quite independent. But technology is definitely a challenge. Thank you for making the point that this is a two-sided situation. My biggest concern with technology use for the oldest among us is potentially being taken advantage of when singing up for subscriptions. Turns out my mother had been paying for a dial-up account that she stopped using a decade ago. Also, a major virus-protection company had my mother and father signed up for virus protection plans on a computer they share. Took me a lot of calls to get refunds and straighten it out. Even for me, at 64 and still working full time, younger folks will give me a sympathetic sigh if I don’t catch up as quickly as they do technologically. It’s a new world every day!