The world has and is changing at a rapid pace. Ever since the inception of the computer technology revolution products, services, industries, economies, and social behaviors have been drastically influenced by digital technologies. Being that nearly every aspect of modern life has shifted over the preceding decades, those individuals who have lived through multiple decades have found themselves regularly needing to adjust the way they go about everyday life.
While most of the generations that live today were born into decades that were already under the influence of the flow that digital technologies had on the world and were thus able to adapt more easily and readily, older generations may find it difficult. Since so much of the world is and will be permanently changed to accommodate and support these efficient technologies, people who are not brought up to speed with how to utilize this tech will be at a disadvantage. The more that these technologies change, the further and more complex that learning gap will become.
The following is a series of reasons as to why it is crucial for seniors to be digitally literate and how they might be properly upskilled in that usage.
Why Digital Literacy Is Important:
There are a variety of important reasons as to why digital literacy is important for senior citizens. To name a few: avoiding harmful disinformation; being aware of and protecting themselves against possible scams; maintaining social connections through modern media and technology; the ability to properly engage and receive important documentation or services like federal or medical services.
With nearly every industry or service filtered and controlled through some aspect of technological utilities, the inability to understand and engage with those services in anything other than an analog format means that seniors are greatly disadvantaged. Without even basic understanding of how to engage services through these technologies, seniors not only lack the courage to reach out, but may become isolated from important services.
These are just a few reasons as to why digital literacy is important for senior citizens.
Some Benefits of Digital Literacy:
1. Finances
All adults need easy access to their money. With financial institutions working primarily in digital formats and things like cash and checks quickly fading into the past, these previous means of economic engagement are severely limiting to those who are still dependent on them.
Not only is it important to understand how to manage money online or in app services, but it is necessary to properly engage and track where and how that money is being spent— especially with those on limited retirement incomes. There are plenty of classes being offered by various organizations that are geared directly toward this topic in digital literacy.
During such courses seniors can engage in classes that help them to better understand digital financial management platforms and services, rethinking how to make and manage a household budget, and spending time engaging with their income streams. Perhaps more importantly though is the problem of phishing scams.
The number and frequency of scams that are running around the world today is not only staggering but concerning. When combining those rates with the ease and susceptibility of persons from every demographic to being scammed, it is increasingly alarming to imagine how much more vulnerable the elderly are.
Without an understanding of phishing prevention tips like how to recognize fake links, false emails, and illegitimate requests, senior citizens are easily at greater risk for falling prey to these crimes. Taking that into account with their limited incomes, the problem becomes even more concerning.
2. Social Connectivity
Research has shown that people who are more social live longer, happier, healthier lives. With so many seniors having limited or impaired mobility, a great alternative to social engagement comes through social media services. This is not just beneficial for them to connect with each other, but to stay connected with friends and family who are comfortable with those technologies.
Email, video streaming, texting, and chatting are just commonplace means by which people socialize now but without basic digital literacy skills they are more vulnerable to cyber bullying and extended, unnecessary isolation.
3. Education and Cognitive Function
Senior citizens are commonly at risk for the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Just one way to stave off and keep minds sharp is through continuing education. There are hundreds of options for digital learning courses that allow for ways in which seniors can mentally exercise to keep themselves younger, but without the fundamentals of how to access this technology those resources remain inaccessible.
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