A few days ago we talked in Peques and More about how fathers / mothers have to get involved in the use of the Internet to be content generators and not only Internet users if we want to share their achievements with them and earn their trust so that they see us as equals. The challenge is to learn with them and provide references so they can also progress and learn.
Now also, as published by the Open University of Catalonia (UOC), the younger generations create a trend and spread the uses of ICT to the elderly. It is very interesting for grandparents to have technology, typically a smartphone which has a big screen, and access to social networks like Facebook, WhatsApp or Twitter where they will be able to see what their grandchildren do. Although they are also using the Internet to share information with other elders, for example, their family or other friends.
Many of the current Spanish retirees have had to handle their jobs with computers and technology, so a small boost from grandchildren can encourage them to adapt to incorporate the use of technology, especially the mobile phone. With this device in their pocket they feel close to their families and feel some protection when incorporated into their outings or leisure breaks. According to the UOC report on 85% of people between 65 and 74 have a mobile phone. In this 85% there are all kinds of users, from those who carry it in case something happens to those who do what they want with the mobile phone and that as soon as they run out they adapt to the smartphone.
The family accompanies the elderly in learning and so, for example, at home the little one explains to the grandmother uses that can be made with technology in addition to seeing her daily how she handles the technology: computer, tablets, smartphone and Messaging with friends That does not mean that I use it although I am sure that in other houses, and in similar cases, Grandparents will have no choice but to progress in advanced use and become experts.
For the grandparents the flat rates They have been very interesting because they are removed from the use of the missed call or the sending of the SMS, using smartphones that allow family and friends to be approached no matter how far away they are. The use of WhatsApp groups, for example, encourages them to communicate with many family members using images, videos or messages Very short of easy click and immediate understanding.
The challenge for grandparents is to respond to the needs of communicating with their grandchildren so technology allows them to be in tune with them, accompany them, teach them and surely take care of them during those long afternoons before parents arrive / arrive home . The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is special, because, in addition to the greater confidence derived from which grandparents do not educate, the elders always have something interesting to tell and if now they also do it through social networks, the grandchildren will also be very attentive.
Although the step of the grandparents to be producers of content is still very embryonic the truth is that There are initiatives such as writing books, recording content on YouTube with anecdotes and experiences from many years ago and of course blogs in which grandparents explain their progress and feelings before the reality that surrounds them.
It is a movement that will not stop and will grow as retirees enter their golden age and have time and knowledge. And in that process the grandchildren will be dynamizers and catalysts to encourage them to have an active presence on the Internet.
