Every #Boomer has an opinion about technology...what's yours?

 

When it comes to technology and the 50 + crowd, I know three types of people:

1. Those who want no part of it.  They only have a cell phone because their Grandchildren coerced them into it.  The have never laid finger on a computer, ipad, or used an ATM.  They don't even want one of those new-fangled HE washers and dryers.  This is usually the 70+ crowd.

2. Those who have a cell phone and computer, but only use their computer to retrieve email.  They say they are afraid to shop on the internet, pay bills, or even get on facebook, because they don't want to give out any personal information.

3. Those who embrace technology and can't wait to learn "What's next" Many of these boomers own a iMac, Ipad, Iphone, and perhaps even a Apple Watch.  

As for me, I lean toward #3.  While I'm fascinated with technology, certainly not frightened of it, I do think we are moving in the direction of completely losing human experience.  If we don't create boundaries on how we use technology, we will quickly lose the ability to communicate face to face.

I've sat at a beautiful table, enjoyed a fabulous meal, and while most of us are conversing in the afterglow, there's always at least one who's glued to their mobile device!  Usually someone under 40.  

My husband and I were talking about this, just this morning, during our morning ritual--

whomever wakes up first, makes coffee and brings it back to bed. We both unplug our ipads from their chargers, and scan emails, news, Facebook and any other place we find interesting.  

Are we disconnected from each other?  

I don't think so, and I'll tell you why--we stop and share what we're reading with each other. We laugh at the funny cartoons, and share the news were reading.  We look at the photo's from each other Facebook friends, and even discuss the weather forecast. We let each other now what we need to put on our calendars (mine is on my iPad--Don still uses a appt. book), and then share what we have planned for the day. 

We talk to each other while being connected to our devices.  

We do this because we have learned how important communication is in a relationship, and how important it is to stay connected....to each other.   I must admit, this is one of my favorite times of day, with my husband.

Statistics show that while Boomers are slower to embrace technology...embracing it, they are!  

According to Immersion Active, a 50+Marketing group, "The Internet is an everyday part of boomers lives; it is the top source for gathering information on topics of interest, outpacing TV and print media by a substantial margin. Over half of boomers watch online video with YouTube reported as the preferred site with 82% of video watchers using it. Social networking sites are used by the majority of boomers/seniors daily with more than half following a group or organization on a social platform. Facebook ranks #1 as the most used social network for Boomers."

Boomers and technology--is this the perfect marriage?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Angela]

I tend to shy away from new things. Once I started learning about all the things I can now do with technology I was hooked. I still prefer to read a real book, but I do enjoy texting and emailing friends I don't get to see often, and especially looking at pictures of my cousins children in Facebook. It's so easy to stay in touch now.

[Ann S.]

I love the technology, but I'm slow to learn it because it's moving so fast. Just when I'm comfortable in what i know, it all changes! We have a rule in our house, no devices at the table. No phone calls, either. It's just a short time to disconnect from our devices and actually look at one another. A funny thing about me is that I have an iPhone 6. I don't text nor do I have my email hooked into it. I just don't want to be that connected or reliant on the device. I still crave human interaction.

[Donna DeRosa]

Your morning ritual sounds lovely. People used to read newspapers in the morning and now they read electronically. I don’t think technology is the problem, it’s the way people use it that matters. I think new tech is great. Earlier this year I lived across the country and used FaceTime to talk with my 88-year-old mother. My sister set it up for her but she loved it. I’m a Genexer and a lot of people my age won’t use Facebook, have no time for it. But my family who are Baby Boomers are on it all the time. I think there is a technology for each age. The younger kids in my family are all about Instagram at the moment.

[Tammy]

I love rituals! My hubby and I share what we're reading too. He reads me the news and I share Facebook, which is mostly cat videos LOL!
We "power down" at least one day per week.
We're over 50 and like technology but get frustrated by it too :)

[Rebecca]

What a timely topic! While I'm getting close, I'm not quite in the 50+ category, but I work with a broad range of ages, and a broad range of computer literacy skills. And like you, I fall in the #3 category. I think the new technologies gives us new ways to communicate, even while they are disrupting our old ways of communicating.