Research from National Seniors Australia shows that, over the past 4 years, older Australians have made great strides in improving their digital skills. Those aged 50 years and above have improved their abilities to text and use streaming services like ABC iView and Netflix, online banking, and video calling.
National Seniors Australia has released exciting numbers with 63 per cent of seniors now rating their mobile abilities as good to excellent. For those aged 80 and over, tablet usage has increased from 11–19 per cent. Desktop computer usage is in the decline, but those aged 50–59 have noted a small increase in their laptop usage.
However, many are still falling behind in vital ways. The COVID pandemic forced many people, young and old, to embrace the digital world. While they may own a smartphone or a smart TV, they don’t necessarily know how to use it and, often, we find that seniors are leaving these devices alone entirely. Financial circumstances can also present a major barrier to digital ability.
National Seniors Australia CEO, Professor John McCallum, links low usage to a lack of skills as well as a difference in values. “Older people can find it very frustrating to deal with robotic voices in apps,” he explains. “We know that when people get further and further away from work, their confidence with digital technologies drops dramatically.” This results in older people falling increasingly behind digitally. Older people are also fearful of scams, and may lack the financial resources needed to get online.
These findings certainly echo the thoughts and feelings of our Learners. Tech Mate, Phil Greenidge, often hears the same sentiments during his digital mentoring sessions and he, along with all Tech Mates, work to counter any fears and concerns seniors may have.