OLDER ADULTS AND TECHNOLOGY: MOVING BEYOND THE STEREOTYPES
By Susan Nash, Visiting Scholar at the Stanford Center on Longevity
She reports that Two-thirds of adults 65 and over now use the Internet;
The percentage of people age 65+ using at least one social media site grew from 7 percent in 2010 to 37 percent in 2018;
Older adults are the fastest growing group of Facebook users, with the use rate among those 65+ increasing from 18 to 32 percent from 2011 to 2018;
Smartphone ownership among 65+ adults increased from 18 to 42 percent from 2013 to 2017;
Roughly ¾ of Internet users 65 and over go online every day.
Older Adults and Technology: Moving Beyond the Stereotypes – Stanford Center on Longevity
Myths and Misconceptions
Myth 1: I don’t get on the computer, I am safe from digital threats
Many older adults have the idea that if they don’t have a computer, they are not susceptible to being a victim of cyber crime.
Unfortunately this is not true. Due to the availability of public records, many details of their lives are available to anyone else that is on the internet.
Also most adults now have smart phones. These are computers in your pocket or purse. The manufacturers of the phones, and the operating systems – whether an iPhone or an Android – track what you do and where you go. You have email accounts that make these phones function, and the email you receive needs to be read carefully to protect from phishing.
It isn’t possible to get rid of all the personal information out there, but being aware of it is the first start in being safe in our digital world.
Myth 2: I only have a few friends on Social Media, my posts are private
It is possible to have your social media accounts private, but many people don’t take the time, or know how to make their profiles safer and less public.
Many don’t realize when they share a public post that was created by others, they are then more exposed than if they created the post themselves.
Myth 3: If I delete something it is not on the internet anymore
Another myth is the information you post online is only looked at by people you know. The reality is everything on the internet is always being copied, referenced and correlated. And if you remove it, it is not gone. It is important not to post any Personally Identifiable Information or PII.
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) are things like…
- Full Name
- Email address
- Home address
- Data of Birth
- Ethnicity / Race
- Gender
- National ID numbers / Social security number
- Passport number
- Visa permits number
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle registration plate number
- Disability information
- Location information
- What you are doing when / status
- Events attended
- Status
- Sexual orientation
- Education and employment history
- Grades
- Salary
- Job position / title
- Photos
- Anything commercially sensitive
- Political and religious leanings and affiliation
- Views on controversial issues
- History / background
- Mother maiden name
- Place of birth
- Genetic information
- Insurance details
- Medical information
- Criminal record
- Credit score / record
- Sites registered on
The more information you post, the easier it is for someone to pretend to be you to scam you or your friends.
Internet is a great tool for all of us to use. But like any tool it can be used against us as well if we aren’t careful.
If you don’t feel comfortable on the computer, seek for education. Many communities offer classes through community centers, public libraries or community colleges. Learn about the internet as a tool in anyway you can.
Be Safe Out There!