The Wirral Silver Surfer :A Senior’s Guide To The Digital World

The Wirral Silver Surfer

Hi Community, Its karl again, proudly becoming one of the Silver Surfers. The article/blog today is going to be about us older generation’s, showcasing benefit’s from the internet, also the downsides..

Understanding the Fear for a Wirral Silver Surfer

Over the last year I have been asking everyone “why do you think some of the older generation are literally scared of the internet?” The feedback is mainly “accessibility”, as most websites nowadays have so many flashing lights, plus a web page you need to scroll about 20 times to reach the bottom of the page..

Key Statistics Highlighted For The Wirral Silver Surfer

• Nearly 60% of people aged 65 and over in the UK owned a smartphone in 2020, which is a significant increase from the past decade.
• In 2021, 54% of adults aged 75 years and over were recent internet users, up from 20% in 2011.
• Internet use in adults aged 65 to 74 has seen a rapid increase from 52% in 2011 to 83% in 2021.
• 48% of those aged 65-74 had shopped online in 2019, which is up from just 16% in 2008.
• About 50% of those aged between 65 and 74 in the UK said they had a social media profile in 2019.

.

Online Experience

When using the internet as a mature person its completely different. We are not looking for the next best thing! We are looking for the next bit of news more or less. Because of this, we can be very “internet wise”. We can be very picky with who we befriend on the internet. The internet can be a powerful tool and platform, for all ages. We chat with family and friends for companionship, it does not matter what is going on in the world at any point, we will always need help in many ways, the internet gives us all this chance..

The Not So Nice Side

Some of the severe downsides of the internet are the scammers and fraudsters. One big connection to the internet is phone calls. As the scammer will now come on the phone and sound like the most legitimate person you have ever spoken to, but you cannot look for their honesty in their eyes face-to-face..

Online Medical Consultations for us all

The benefits regarding online consultations are game-changers. It could take a mature person 2 hours just to get ready for a visit to the hospital, then another gruelling 1-2 hours on their journey to the hospital. Just for a meeting that could have been done over a video call, with the doctor in their PJ’s if they wanted to : ).

Nostalgic Musical Journeys

I was with two musicians the other day. They were showing me their old music on YouTube. They were practicing for about 2 hours live. It was amazing to hear their singing, Old School And Live. This connection that they have, “Instantly” to their life stories is priceless! They can press 2 buttons and then are taken back to a ball from 60 years ago : ).

Adapting to Internet Evolution

Another point about the internet is: how it evolves every year with new terminology! I like to think the youth can help us with this. Every new decade of teenagers has their own new way of talking “slang”. So the same way we ask the youth today “what does this new selfie word mean?” we can use that same method, to keep up to date with the internet, the youth will always search for the next best thing and we can talk/read all about it in the news..

My Disclaimer

This is a Education Blog from me, karl loftus RLWJ, to document a time in history from my own story and perspective. Regardless of age, it is our human right to ask for help. The internet as a tool and platform gives us all the chance to do this. Today we can just stand outside a local shop and use their free wi-fi as an internet connection. There are lots of shops in Birkenhead town centre like this. If the shop is quiet? They will probably let you sit down inside? In the 90’s we used to dream of holding a mobile phone to talk to “anyone”. Now with £30 you can ask “anyone” in the world for help : )

#juxtaposing

Let’s Go!!!

My Team at karlsideas.com