He who knows not…..

As may be seen from our own approach here at in my prime we firmly believe that internet access and online activity is not only the future but is already the present. Accordingly, we very much welcome the Government’s Digital Britain Report and initiatives such as NESTA’s “Reboot Britain”.

It is, therefore, rather disconcerting to see in research carried out for Ofcom that not only is there a significant minority who do not have the internet but that many of them, particularly older people, have “self-excluded” themselves and do not see the need nor the value in getting to grips with the new technology.

We are now in a transition phase and many elderly people did not work in or were not brought up in a computerised environment. Their attitude is at least understandable. The learning curve for them is particularly steep – although that should not, in itself, be an excuse. I have experience of trying to help someone make the transition and there is much that can be done by the computer industry to make the experience easier for the elderly – core programs only, spam-free, virus-free, pop-up free, update restricted etc. etc.

But for those over 50s who have not yet reached this stage in their lives there is no excuse. Whether it be employability, keeping in the social mainstream, access to information, finances, improved purchasing power or a host of other uses and benefits, being connected is of paramount importance. Otherwise a truly second class citizenship will emerge and is already doing so.

Every encouragement, incentive and opportunity must be provided to bring people aboard. This is not another example of a nanny state telling us what is good for us and restricting the freedom of the individual – people must not be allowed to shy away.

He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool; avoid him.

He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a student; teach him.

He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep; wake him.

He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man; follow him.

Ancient Proverb

More silver surfers need to obtain and use the Internet

Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have found that a digital divide still exists and that more silver surfers (over 50s) need to obtain and use the internet in their daily lives.
In the wake of a Government announcement last month that plans to tackle the digital divide among young families by providing parents on low income with equipment and internet access, Dr Jyoti Choudrie and Dr Susan Grey from the University’s Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities Research Institute have revealed research findings about the older generation.

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(Source: AlphaGalileo)

Baby Boomers catch on to what the “Nintendo Generation” already knew

Britain’s senior executives across the UK are following in the footsteps of their junior colleagues as previously reported concerns over the use of technology give way to positive experience.

A study, published today (10 October), reveals a surge in the use of new media over the past 12 months as directors and senior managers adopt the technology taken for granted by Generation Y.

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(Source: Consultant-News)

Connecting older people to the world

An interesting development this year was the discovery by the IT industry of a whole new market for affordable computers of the kind that Asus makes and which has already spawned a host of imitators. But there is an even bigger market staring the industry in the face. There are now more pensioners than children under 16.
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(Source: The Guardian)

Hello! It’s me! Is anyone there?

A number of companies are now producing mobile phones which are geared towards “the aged or technophobic” (not my words) and one, which sold 250000 across Europe in the last year, is now launching its second generation version. It doesn’t have loads and loads of fancy features but the ones it does have do seem useful for its intended market – I refuse to use their heading “Mobile for the over 50s set to ignite the silver sector”

The phone has the following attributes: a super loud hands-free speakerphone, over-sized (how can this be?) display and buttons, flash light, hearing aid compatible, one press “in case of emergency” facility, a standby time of 250 hours. (If you want to continue taking the stones out of horses’ hooves you’ll still need your Swiss army knife.)

We’re not quite so enamoured of the price, £145 for pay-as-you-go. It looks a bit like the phone equivalent of supermarket organic foods.

In my prime welcomes such developments and does not find them in any way demeaning. Nobody is forced to buy one. To be honest, our first stance is always to master the technology, as intended, rather than look for substitutes. However, it is a fact of life that as we get older certain parts of us no longer function as well as they did before. But that should not lead to social or workplace exclusion. It’s all very well casually assuming that people will have to work into their mid-seventies but, unless the environment becomes more age-friendly, it will just not be possible. Employers will continue to find ways to be ageist, citing inability or declining performance, when a serious consideration and re-designing of the tasks or more sensible, more appropriate equipment will be all that is needed.

The problem’s not going to go away.