In today’s world, young people may have been exposed to technology like computers and the internet from birth, making them adept at using digital devices such as smartphones. In contrast, older individuals often lack experience in this area, leading to behaviors related to using smartphones that may seem unfamiliar or even incomprehensible to young people.
According to a report by The Huffington Post, Jodi R.R. Smith, the CEO of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting in the United States, stated that older individuals often feel out of place when it comes to technology. She explained that once older individuals install something on their phones, they rarely check or delete anything. Having experienced entire files disappearing from clunky computers, even when saved properly, they tend to have a certain level of distrust towards technology.
On the other hand, young people do not face these issues. They see technology as an extension of themselves, a mix of entertainment tools, loyal friends, and an “electronic security blanket.” Whenever there’s a new app or upgrade released, they are quick to download it onto their phones. When smartphones serve as an “electronic security blanket,” they provide a similar psychological function to a physical security blanket, offering comfort and alleviating feelings of isolation during uncomfortable or tense moments.
How much influence does having different attitudes towards technology have on how smartphones are used? It has a significant impact. Below are four common behaviors of older individuals using smartphones that often leave young people puzzled.
For older individuals who grew up using landline phones, the ringing of a phone is an inevitable situation, and answering the call promptly to see what the caller wants is a common practice. However, for young people raised in the digital age, they prefer texting over making phone calls, and receiving an unexpected phone call without prior notice is considered rude and intrusive.
Technology coach Brittany Smith stated, “I’m 44 years old this year, and I am definitely the last generation of ‘phone callers.’ Even though I enjoyed chatting with friends on the phone since I was young, I can understand the uncertainty and anxiety that an unexpected call may bring, and the ringing of the phone can be very nerve-wracking.”
She shared the example of her father, who typically doesn’t have such concerns. Her father believes it’s polite to answer the phone when it rings. He always picks up, even when he is spending time with his daughter.
Diane Gottsman, the founder of The Protocol School of Texas and a mother of Generation Z kids, has received valuable feedback from her children on how to enhance digital message communication.
Gottsman mentioned, “They don’t like it when you write text messages like you’re writing a letter. If the content is too long, you should break it into several text segments, getting straight to the point rather than writing like a novel.”
She also advised striving for smooth communication through text messages. Avoid unnecessary replies in group chats, and refrain from forwarding annoying chain messages.
Gottsman urged older individuals to learn how to use emojis, saying, “Whatever you do, quickly learn the meanings of emojis. Use them cautiously and accurately.”
Catherine, a barista in Chicago, noted from her experience that the older the customers, the more likely they are to unknowingly turn on the flashlight function on their phones.
She remarked, “The Baby Boomers seem unaware of this when outdoors, but when they are ordering coffee, they end up shining the flashlight into the eyes of the baristas. Sometimes, the brightness can be overwhelming.”
Tech coach Smith likened this situation to driving with the turn signal on for miles. She provided a quick solution: “You can choose which two buttons to display on the locked screen, so instead of the flashlight, opt for some less intrusive buttons.”
Etiquette expert Jo Hayes emphasized the importance of locking the screen after using the phone. She noticed that most elderly individuals tend to put their phones in their pockets or bags directly after sending a message.
Hayes mentioned that her father, a Baby Boomer, often inadvertently dialed calls as he kept his phone in his pocket. Almost every time she is with him, she has to remind him to press the side button to lock the screen.
Tech coach Smith offered a simple solution. You can set the auto-lock screen time from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. It’s recommended to set the shortest time possible so that the screen locks automatically as soon as possible.