{"id":133318,"date":"2021-12-22T06:33:02","date_gmt":"2021-12-22T14:33:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=133318"},"modified":"2024-02-26T23:16:20","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T07:16:20","slug":"helping-older-adults-build-strong-digital-literacy-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/helping-older-adults-build-strong-digital-literacy-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Older Adults Build Strong Digital Literacy Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most\u00a0of us take\u00a0our\u00a0skills\u00a0for granted\u00a0when it comes to technology. We move\u00a0effortlessly\u00a0between applications\u00a0and\u00a0multiple\u00a0devices. We install new software, set up\u00a0numerous\u00a0accounts, and\u00a0easily\u00a0clear\u00a0technical\u00a0hurdles\u00a0that come our way.\u00a0Unfortunately, that\u00a0picture isn\u2019t\u00a0the norm for\u00a0many\u00a0older adults.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Engaging with technology can be challenging for older adults. However, when digital literacy skills are neglected or avoided, everyday activities such as online bill paying, shopping, medical appointments, and even social media can be overwhelming. And, since the pandemic, the digital divide between older adults and digital skills has become even more evident.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Digital Divide\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

One\u00a0<\/span>Pew study<\/span><\/a>\u00a0revealed that older adults continue to lag behind younger\u00a0adults\u00a0when it comes to technology\u00a0adoption\u00a0in that\u00a041% do not use the internet at all,\u00a023% do not use cell phones,\u00a0and\u00a0over\u00a0<\/span>75%\u00a0say they\u00a0require help when learning how to use new technology.\u202f\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bridging the Gap<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0Pew study\u00a0also\u00a0highlighted\u00a0good news: Attitudes shift\u00a0for the better when older\u00a0adults\u00a0increase their\u00a0digital\u00a0skills and\u00a0access the Internet more frequently.\u00a0<\/span>Fully 79% of older adults<\/span><\/a>\u00a0who use the internet\u00a0regularly\u00a0agree with the statement that \u201cpeople without internet access are at a real disadvantage because of all the information they might be missing.\u201d In comparison,\u00a094% agree with the statement that \u201cthe internet makes it much easier to find information today than in the past.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So how can we help the older adults in our lives\u00a0grow\u00a0both their\u00a0digital skills\u00a0and their confidence?\u00a0Building practical digital\u00a0skills\u00a0begin\u00a0with a commitment\u00a0to one another, to consistency, and to learning.\u00a0Here are\u00a0some\u00a0tips to get you started.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7\u00a0Ways to Boost\u00a0Digital\u00a0Literacy<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Schedule dedicated time<\/span>.<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you are helping an older adult\u00a0build\u00a0their\u00a0digital skills, it\u2019s\u00a0crucial\u00a0to schedule dedicated training\u00a0time.\u00a0Commitment and consistency\u00a0will be\u00a0key\u00a0to achieving\u00a0real results.\u00a0If you\u2019re the older adult learning on your own, set aside dedicated\u00a0learning\u00a0time\u00a0with clear goals. For instance, \u201cEach\u00a0day\u00a0this week\u00a0from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.\u00a0I\u00a0will\u00a0learn how to set up my email and\u00a0<\/span>how to\u00a0maximize security<\/span><\/a>\u00a0on all my\u00a0devices.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Choose your resources and go! <\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Fortunately, more and more\u00a0resources\u00a0are\u00a0emerging\u00a0to help older adults\u00a0bridge their technology gaps,\u00a0and\u00a0most are free.\u00a0A few places to begin\u00a0include\u00a0AARP\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>Senior Planet<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Candoo Tech<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>GetSetUp<\/span><\/a>. To find a program in your area, go to\u202f<\/span>at3center.net<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Prioritize\u00a0cybersecurity.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Online security\u00a0is one of the most critical conversations you can have with the older adults in your life.\u00a0Following best practices\u00a0such as\u00a0<\/span>installing security software<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0using\u00a0strong passwords\u00a0with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA),\u00a0understanding\u00a0data privacy,\u00a0and\u00a0knowing how to identify\u00a0phishing and malware scams\u00a0are\u00a0fundamental\u00a0components of\u00a0digital literacy.\u00a0For a deeper dive into cybersecurity best practices,\u00a0<\/span>read more<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Explore media literacy. <\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Older\u00a0adults can easily fall prey to scams,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>conspiracies, hoaxes, and false news stories online.\u00a0<\/span>A\u202f<\/span>recent study out of Princeton and NYU<\/span><\/a>\u202ffound that,\u00a0prior to\u00a0the 2016 election, adults over 65 were\u00a0<\/span>seven times more likely<\/span><\/i>\u00a0than those under 29 to post articles from fake news domains.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>Understanding how to\u00a0<\/span>spot misinformation online<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is a critical skill for anyone online.\u202fOne resource to build media literacy\u00a0is\u00a0<\/span>MediaWise for Seniors<\/span><\/a>, a series of free online courses\u00a0by Poynter\u00a0designed to help older adults detect and combat fake news and misinformation.\u202f<\/span>In addition,\u00a0<\/span>consider\u00a0dialogue on<\/span>\u00a0how to challenge each piece of digital content by asking:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n