Last week while commuting in suburban train, I noticed that several senior citizens owned latest smartphones containing various kinds of applications. I also found that many of them were using mobile applications like whatsapp, facebook messenger, hike etc. Today most of them use these applications to remain in touch with their friends as it not possible for them to meet their companions personally. Many of them are renewing their old friendships by using social networking sites. While some others have games like candy crush, Solitaire Bliz and others installed on their mobiles as they were passing time by playing them. Some of them were reading e-papers of several online dailies on their mobile phone while others were checking the updates about the stock market and value of shares.
Since some elderly persons have invested in stocks and mutual funds they check the daily rates of the shares through mobile application. Some even watch the latest movies on their gadgets. Thus the advent of smartphones has become a boon for senior citizens. Even though there may be some elderly persons who might not be comfortable using the latest gadgets but many of them are taking assistance of their children and friends to understand about the functioning of latest gadgets. The usage of gadgets has actually bridged the digital divide between older and young generation. Large number of senior citizens are adopting technology like cell phones and the internet today.
Many of them have started using tablets and laptops and remain active on social networking sites like facebook and twitter. As more and more seniors integrate the Internet into their daily lives, digital communications is becoming the most efficient way to engage and inform. Studies show that senior citizens are fast adopting email as one of their primary methods of digital interaction and communication. As a growing number of senior citizens discover the advantages of digital communications, email and social media are quickly becoming their dominant method of exchanging information.
Many of them are using technology for online shopping and make payments through credit card. They are also using net-banking facilities which reduce the hassles for them to visit the branch personally. Today most of the banking activities can be done online which has eased the life of many elderly persons. Some of them are learning new courses to upgrade their skills in today’s technologically advanced world. Many of them after acquiring the requisite skills are able to find employment after retirement.
Today we can find advertisements wherein senior citizens are shown using the latest gadgets, clicking selfies and sending messages on whatsapp. Some of them feature in the mobile data plan advertisements. Thus companies too are targeting a new demography for selling their products as they are well aware that youths are already using latest technology. Technology seeps in positivity in senior citizens and enables them to steer away from depression and loneliness. Getting tech-savvy also brings optimism in their lives, improves their quality of life, boosts their morale and gives a new sense of individualism.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
