The internet is just a fad, probably....

Growing up in the 90's Internet generation I will always have a special place in my heart for some of the quintessential aspects of technology in my childhood. A walk down memory lane takes me back to the days of Kid Pix, the game Oregon Trail, Number Munchers, making up a cheesy and ridiculous email addresses (that no one should have to repeat), and of course the glorious sound of dial-up internet connecting...Ah!

You're welcome.

I have really taken for granted the learning curve my parents and grandparents generation has had to overcome in order to keep up with technology in today's world.  I've know some older people who have fully embraced technology as a tool for making their everyday life easier, some who have drug their feet working with technology as little as required for their job, and still there are some people who have refused to work with technology all together, hoping it just goes away. 

Here is my unofficial case study on the rejection or acceptance of computer use by people in their 50's and older.  My grandparents, age 75+ have really impressed me with their eagerness to embrace technology as a tool of efficiency and social connection in their life.  My grandparents have e-mail, a laptop, Kindle Fire, Facebook and Pinterest accounts, and have been using Amazon for online shopping for the last few years.  They are both eager to learn new things and really seem to enjoy their technology independence. 

My Dad, who is age 60, is taking a less pro-active role in technology in that he only uses what he as to.  His greatest feat thus far is getting an iPhone and learning to text and check the weather.  My dad is technology dependent because he relies on my step-mom to update him on Facebook happenings, email, and any online shopping he is interested in.

On the extreme end of the digital divide are my mother and father in-law, age 55.  My husband's parents have not owned a computer until we recently purchased one for them last Christmas, they do not text or own a smart phone, and refuse to use a DVR for recording t.v. shows.  I have worked with my mother in-law, Carol to help her create a Facebook and email account, and even tried to entice her crafty side with Pinterest and recipes.  She has yet to post a coherent status update or send an email.

Carol has made a couple attempts to use her computer and runs into problems.  I frequently get calls from her that her computer is crashed, which usually means the router needs reset or she has the caps lock on when she is entering her passwords.  She is very hesitant to use or learn more about technology because up to this point she has not been very successful, she often says, "I am too old and dumb to understand that stuff!"  I always remind her that my grandparents are 20 years her senior and still learning!  Carol is however leaps and bounds beyond my father in-law, Jerry.  He has zero interest in the internet or computers, I have never seen him go near one before.

Carol has recently enrolled in her first college class to acquire basic computer skills.  I had no idea of the lack of knowledge she had until I tried to help her with her homework.  Most of her coursework is completing step-by-step modules out of her text book.  She is at a basic level and struggling to copy and past items. She is working on learning how to open folders and create new files.  Helping her was such a profound realization of all the basic computer skills I take for granted.

My nephew who is in first grade this year can open any device weather it be an iPad or Windows computer, or gaming council, and create accounts, send pictures, access internet, and type with decent skill.  Having only one year of formal training through kindergarten technology classes, I am amazed with the ease he and other kids are able to acquire up these skills.  They are exposed to technology at such a young age it is natural to them and becomes, in a sense, a second language. 

Some of the things that really get me wondering is at what point will I cross that digital divide where technology passes me by?   Where will we be with technology in another 30 years?