Bringing Technology to a Forgotten Generation
By Ema Jimenez
Our pain point focus is how can we bring, or make accessible, internet access to those without it, specifically the older demographic (70+). From speaking with some folks, it appears the reason many of them don’t have internet, is not so much they can’t afford it, but they don’t know how to use the technology that comes with the internet territory, such as smart phones or tablets.
According to a Pew research on older adults and technology, “Only 18% would feel comfortable learning to use a new technology device such, while 77% indicate they would need someone to help walk them through the process.”
If they were a bit more tech savvy they might be inclined to purchase a smart product and set up internet access in their homes. One of the solutions we decided, thus far, in aiding them is to create workshops to teach them how to use the internet and acquire basic tech skills.
Upon further interviewing my targeted audience, I discovered other concerns they had for what would happen after they learned the technology. The biggest concerns are hackers online, they are very concerned that even if they don’t share personal information online, that someone might steal their identify.
One woman expressed great concern about this after seeing a news report on TV, in which an elderly widowed man was scammed. She is concerned that if pop-up ads show up, especially with something that might seem interesting to her, she wouldn’t know how to tell a real page from a fake. Another concern was just how easy the device would be to use. They didn’t want a tablet that was cluttered with icons and apps, to which I explained things like that could be personalized to fit the users need. Along with easy use came the concern of touch screens and visualization.
Older folks have trouble seeing and need lettering to be bigger- which now almost every smartphone/tablet comes with accessibility options, however one of the gentlemen I spoke with suffers from arthritis so his concern was how long could he really use a smart device before it became too painful? Some things that are so second nature to the younger generations that grew up or grew into technology, and wouldn’t think twice about, are big concerns with the older adults.
In reality, because they are older sometimes they can be forgetful, they might learn how to use an app or create a Facebook page, but while they are using the device they could accidentally hit something that led them to another page, or accidentally download an app and now they feel lost again.
Future Today Institute had some fascinating tech trends, for the purpose of this pain point, I will focus on the following three that I feel could really help our targeted demographic:
1. Zero-Knowledge Proofs: When it comes to data and privacy, older adults are very concerned with sharing any private information. “This allows one party to verify data without conveying any additional information,” which would give them some peace of mind and might convince them to do things such as online banking.
2. Wearables: Things such as glasses or earbuds/headbuds could help in aiding our demographic, especially those with loss of hearing or shaky hands due to arthritis. “An incoming phone call can be accepted by shaking your head yes, or declined by shaking your head no,” this can help in minimizing their physical use of smart devices and control it by voice.
3. Drone Delivery: Many older adults are still very traditional and stated that even with internet access they would still read their paper to get news. If this were the case with drone delivery it would make it easier for them to receive it, especially for those that find it extremely difficult to walk to the corner store. According to FTI, by 2020, “Commercial drone deliveries will finally take flight in earnest.”
