According to Susan Nash , writer for the Stanford University Center on Longevity - (2019)

• Two-thirds of adults 65 and over now use the Internet;

• The percentage of people age 65+ using at least one social media site grew from 7 percent in 2010 to 37 percent in 2018;

• Older adults are the fastest growing group of Facebook users, with the use rate among those 65+ increasing from 18 to 32 percent from 2011 to 2018;

• Smartphone ownership among 65+ adults increased from 18 to 42 percent from 2013 to 2017;

• Roughly ¾ of Internet users 65 and over go online every day.

Other factors predict successor lack of success which she calls a ‘second-level digital divide.’  “Even among a group of online older adults, there is significant variation in skills, and this is linked to people’s education, income and autonomy of use, i.e., the freedom to use the technology when and where one wants.”

My Personal Theory

There are right brain oriented people and left brain oriented people. 

Regardless of which may be dominant in a particular person, I have a  personal theory as to why some of us struggle so much with technology.

We baby boomers are smart, seasoned people with a multitude of experience. However, I have observed over several years. many of us are communicators by verbal or written expression primarily. 

Those of us in the social and human services careers are/were the ‘hands on’, warm and fuzzy, compassionate  people honing and using our insight over time.  We respond to others in a more intimate, traditional way

 to ‘get things done.’ We problem solve with our experience, our acquired intellect and our knowledge and history.  

We did not necessarily excel in mathematics, or take kindly to formulas, algorithms and now artificial intelligence! Video conferencing I can do at a basic level. 

The basic, basic, digital literacy areas of technology are reported to include- - 

• Operating systems: Knowing how to navigate and use basic functions within your computer's operating system. 

• Office suite: Familiarity with applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. 

• Internet navigation: Efficiently searching for information online, using web browsers, and understanding basic URL structure

• Email communication: Sending, receiving, and managing emails with proper etiquette. 

• File management: Creating, saving, organizing, and deleting files on your computer. 

• Basic troubleshooting: Identifying and resolving simple technical issues like printer errors or slow internet connection. 

I am proud to say that  it took me quite a while, but what I can do, I have achieved proficiency.  Learning to navigate and improve my  former radio  podcasting was quite a feat,weekly for over seven+ years, 

 But only with  ‘back end technical assistance’I  was successful. ( along with repetition). However, when I had to ‘go solo’ it was rough!  

The  tech things I can’t do currently are a combination of lack of confidence AND lack of interest; lack of motor coordination proficiency and not achieving digital media literacy in a way that makes sense to me!

No apologies made! My cognitive skills remain sharp, and my memory (minus stress induced forgetting) is still functional. 

Trial and error and much repetition has made me fairly proficient at creating and publishing my own blogs on the Squarespace platform independently. 

Sometimes, I just want to not have to deal with technical problems or… bothering to learn the mandated changes on certain platforms. 

The thing about technology is that it moves- changes with lightning speed. 

Our older brains can’t always accommodate. It’s limping along or delegate to someone else if your pocketbook allows!

VARK- The Four Primary Learning Styles - How We Process Information -

• Visual

People who learn best by seeing information, such as in charts, maps, and diagrams 

• Auditory

  People who learn best by listening to information, such as in music, video clips, and conversations 

• Reading/writing

  People who learn best by reading or writing information, such as in books, articles, and lists 

• Kinesthetic

  People who learn best by doing, such as by playing games or puzzles, or by being physically active 

Don’t get me started about retail and other websites never having a number to call. Rather, it’s a fill in the blank form or ‘live chat’.  Often these also are not the best ‘vehicles of communication.’. They don’t want to be efficient -or deal with the public. I’ve learned that small business owners who depend upon local customers,  rarely have time to address email or chat questions.  

Gigantic HELP CENTERS (LINKEDIN, as  just one corporate example) earn billions and just put up some pre-described FAQs and we’re supposed to get all  the answers to solve aproblem. I have tried for months! 

 I seem to be the exception in that my questions are rarely in the FAQ lists.

OUTSOURCING Customer Service to Third World Countries 

Corporations have been outsourcing customer service to companies in developing countries, often referred to as third world countries, since the late 1980s, with the practice becoming significantly more prevalent and widespread during the 1990s due to the rise of internet technology. 

Outsourcing facilitated remote communication and made it easier to manage overseas teams. One primary  example was  Eastman Kodak's decision to outsource its IT systems in 1989, marking a pivotal moment in the history of outsourcing. 

According to the latest internet sources, over 50% of companies outsource their customer service to other countries. They say it improves efficiency’ and cuts cost.  Efficiency - No, when they are not proficient in English, or, more likely, their dialect is unintelligible to many, increasing the frustration the U.S. customers in addition to very long ‘on hold times.’

Cutting Costs - YES! India - is of the second largest  of customer service groups by far…  They typically earn $1.50 per hour when calculated based on a standard work month of 120 hours.

Number one in Customer Service currently - is the Philippines, as they are considered a young and rapidly growing Southeast Asian nation known for its English-speaking talent pool.

My pet peeve - When you are motivated to learn more, the options for learning are extremely limited! Fill out a form or a chat box, read a help center article that isn’t always that helpful. 

***How about calling and talking to a real person with knowledge, education and expertise in an industry?? There are millions of retired people away from the business world who can still assist in many ways if given the opportunity.  I guess that went out in the 1960s or ‘70s to never return.  

When you have a disability, that presents even additional challenges… Forget it!  No empathy, no help!

Part of the Backstory- a bit about neuro science and how our brains work- 

Some researchers hold to the left -right or dominant theories, while others 

focus on the concept of lateralization, meaning that the right and left hemispheres of the brain perform very different functions and that the two communicate through their connections.

Each side of the brain supposedly works equally.

According to some researchers, regions of the brain that are in charge of functions like memory seem to vary depending upon which hemisphere is dominant for a particular person. As we age, our brains ‘become more lateral to one side or the other.

Differences in function between the left and right brain.

Left Brain- 

Typically, Broca’s area is the speech production area on the left side of the brain. Wernicke’s area is in the back of the left hemisphere and is responsible for understanding spoken and written language. 

***Another left brain function is technology, as it involves logic, reason and mathematics. 

Right brain activities include- 

The right hemisphere of the brain controls spatial ability, depth and three dimensional  vision, image processing, idea sequencing, creativity, art, imagination, face recognition, musical aesthetics, communication context    (i.ie. the circunmstances and environment that gives meaning to a message) , body language, and social clue interpretation.

However, this left -right directionality can be ‘just the opposite’ in a smaller percentage of people who are left handed, as I am. 

Parting Thoughts- 

Beyond the neuro science, education and envoronmental factors, I firmly believe tht there should be options for those who want to actively participate in technology. It SHOULD NOT be one size fits all! 

Yes, with more time to process and more practice, we can and do learn more skills. This is the essence of life! 

Let’s always learn… or else we are just going through the motions of life waiting for your number to be called. 

Historically, baby boomers were born into and lived in a  culture of great adaptability and change which does serve us well. 

Don’t depart yet! - Stay and browse the many topics of interest - including:

More about me - Starting with my Advocacy Career- https://donnagore.com/advocacy;

And - Please Let me know what motivaates you as a reader/participant- https://donnagore.com/blog/whats-your-movivation

Thanks,

Donna