Technology Tips for Seniors

Whilst the past decade has seen a huge increase in technology use amongst all generations, there has been a significant increase amongst older individuals. Technology has made products and services more accessible and convenient and it’s no surprise that more older individuals are utilising technology especially with quality care and support like that provided by Banfields aged care. With every update and advancement, technology seems to continue to be integrated into our daily lives. This continuous change can be especially daunting for older individuals as new change means learning something new. However, technology does not have to be intimidating. Instead, it can be an opportunity to learn. Here, we explore technology tips for seniors to improve and make their technology experience less daunting.

Choose Strong Passwords

As more and more individuals turn to using technology, the more users are becoming susceptible to cybercrime. Thus, it is important to ensure that your details and personal information are protected when using technology. This can be done by choosing strong passwords for nay online accounts you may have. An area for worry for many older individuals is forgetting a password that they have made. Consider writing it down in a book or letting a close family member know, in case it is forgotten. But it is also better to choose a strong password rather than a weak one.

Antivirus Software

Hand in hand with choosing strong passwords for your online accounts, installing antivirus on your device is also important. Antivirus protection will protect your device from being hacked by hackers or malicious viruses. Further, it will also protect your personal details from being stolen. The risk of not stalling antivirus protection can be detrimental and often in serious cases, it can lead to individuals needing new devices.

Be Careful When Clicking Links

It is very common to receive emails or messages from individuals who are wanting to scam money off you or steal personal information. The best way to steer clear from these scammers is to double check every message or email you receive before clicking any link. Often, once a link is clicked, it can provide all the information that a scammer may want from you. Thus, if you do not recognise who has sent you the email or message, do not open it.

Use Privacy Settings on Social Media

It is common for older individuals to use social media to keep in contact with friends or family. Whilst many social media platforms encourage older individuals to use their mediums, it is also important that older individuals understand the privacy settings on these platforms. Facebook, like many other social media platforms, allows users to limit who can see posts and pictures. If your privacy settings are left on public, anyone in the world can see what you post, and this makes it easy to steal information. Thus, it is important when using social media to use available privacy settings to protect yourself.

Don’t Post Personal Information on Social Media

Even if you have utilised the privacy settings on your social media account, it is also a good idea to avoid posting too many personal things online, especially any information containing your address or phone number. No matter how many privacy settings you may have, hackers and scammers are clever and may still be able to access your information.

Online Etiquette

Although unspoken, there are rules that social media users follow, when posting or sharing posts online. An example of this is, typing in all caps lock can be interpreted as shouting. Further, often emoji’s or images have meanings that one may not be aware of. When posting online, it is important to be mindful of social media etiquette to ensure that you’re using the right symbols and images correctly and that you are not offending anybody.

Avoid Scams

Because there has been a huge rise in the number of older individuals who are beginning to use social media and technology, there has also been a rise in the number of scammers attempting to scam them. One common tactic that many scammers use is sending offers and gifts through emails and messages. Here, they’re able to steal your personal information and often times, even your financial details. Thus, it is important when using social media and technology, to stay up to date on online fraud tactics and be aware of potential scammers.

Technology is becoming increasingly integrated into our lives and especially the lives of older individuals. As we see more of the older generation turning to social media and the newest technology, it is important to understand the ins and outs of technology. There’s no secret that technology is constantly evolving, and this can often prove an issue for many older individuals. However, with the implementation of the tips above, technology has never been easier to use.