Digitization has taken over the world but not everyone has become accustomed to the newer ways of doing things. The older generations are still behind in terms of using the technology that surrounds them. Technology has made life easier for people in the 21st century and if the older generations still lack the technological skills, they will be left behind, not being able to enjoy all the things that technology has to offer.
Even though the percentage of older people learning to use various digital devices today, still a huge part of their generation is computer illiterate.
Various reasons keep older adults away from learning computer skills:
1. Massive gap in technology
There is a huge gap in the technological devices between the older and younger generations. Most of the older adults of today didn’t have smartphones, even mobile phones growing up. The gadgets in their times used to be quite simple and not so complicated as today. And technology is advancing at a much greater speed these days. So, it is hard for them to cope with the massive technological leap and keep up.
2. Lack of need and apparent benefit
Most senior people who are not keen on using the internet think that they do not need it or it has no benefit for them. They like to be extremely task-oriented when it comes to learning computer skills. They need to be informed and taught about the beneficial aspects of technology to get motivated.
3. Negative thoughts about social media
The biggest social media platforms came to exist in recent times. So, they tend to be skeptical about using these platforms. They are just not happy with the communication modes of today that are so much different from the ones in their times.
4. Fear of the unknown
Humans are always afraid of the unknown and this is one of the reasons why older people are not much interested in using technology. Most of them are too afraid to do online shopping because they think their money will be lost or they will get defrauded.
5. Computer Anxiety
Many older people fear that they will break or damage the computer if they try to use it. That is why they are afraid to even give it a try. This fear and anxiety keep them away from learning computer operations.
6. The biological struggle
The human brain is also responsible for why older adults struggle to learn computer skills. It changes and evolves throughout the life of a human being. When a body gets old, it impacts the capabilities of the brain as well and it makes it hard for them to understand complex technologies compared to their younger counterparts.
7. Memory
Many older people have weaker memory than younger people. It makes them forget what they have learned about computers from time to time.
8. Difficult to focus
Senior people find it hard to adapt to newer technologies due to a lack of focus. They are unable to focus on learning about computers and other smart gadgets as they are not excited about them.
9. Loss of Vision
Many older adults suffer from loss of vision and it can be a huge obstacle in their way to learning new things about today’s technology.
10. Price
The latest techs do not come cheap most of the time. Older people live off their savings most of the time. So, they are not interested in spending their savings on gadgets that they are not even excited about.
Using technologies can make the life of seniors much easier. The people around them and organizations must take up the challenge to educate older generations about technologies.
