First, Let me say - I probably have the coolest most beautiful mom in the world. Yes I love her. In the last year my mom learned how to write emails, use links, chat on windows IM, search online and lately - even how to make a video conference.
I have been trying to get her to learn how to use the internet for more than six years. During that time her computer was not even installed, covered with a blanket under a table. So what made her be more open to the net? How did this change of behavior happened?
First step - Computer location
When my mother moved, she had her own computer installed in the living room. Until then she was using my brother's computer which was in his room. The computer kept sitting with the blanket cover waiting for attention.
Second - Job requirement
My mother is a kiddengarden teacher. They started introducing computers to kids in her class and she felt she had to at least learn how to turn the thing on and off. Also, her manager started sending updates over emails and teachers’ forum. That is when she decided to set up her first email address. She started surfing the forum, posting questions on line and waiting passionately for the magic reply.
Third - Language
Most of the operating systems in Israel are set to English as default. My mother is not as comfortable with English as she is with Hebrew. Once she had the Hebrew version downloaded to her computer, everything looked much more intuitive for her.
At this point all the fears and doubts were totally forgotten. She is sending job search links to my sister, searching for a new oven online, viewing her salary online, and chatting with her daughter in San Francisco. Just last night she was so excited to find rubber pants on “the internet”.
Video conference –
Our first video conference was so moving, we both cried a little. Remember we live so far away. In the second call I showed her my house and we danced together like we used to do back home.
I guess there are so many different reasons why the older generations do not like the web. I believe we just have to make it more intuitive for them. We should encourage them to experiment by showing them all the cool stuff they can find online.
Glad to hear your mom is adapting so well. Just another example of how the baby boomers are becoming one of the larger demographics online.
ReplyDeleteMy mom's story is completely opposite. She's the features editor for her local paper and writes books as well so she's quite at home with her Macintosh. Mom started using AOL to send email and chat with fellow skating judges back in 1987 or so. In those days, personal ISP service wasn't really available so AOL, Compuserve, Freenets and Bulletin Board systems were the most commonly used tools.
Now she has joined Facebook and is asking me questions about how to use it for social media marketing, whether she needs to join Twitter, etc. When she was in town a few weeks ago I was giving her a tour of social media sites and services, and her questions were coming a mile a minute. She's been online so long that she was asking more pointed questions than do many of my Web clients.
It was interesting to see. Instead of convincing her that social media was important, I ended up giving her tips on how to finetune usage so it wouldn't take up all of her time.
I think comparing our mom's experiences gives us an interesting marketing lesson. While many people are targeting people by age demographic, and making assumptions about how people use the Internet, I think it may be more true that our jobs and experience have a greater impact on Internet usage than our age. Each of us will use our computers in the way that best serves our particular lives.
I agree. We have to remember - Internet is just a tool to a means. If it serves a purpose, anyone will use it. Its simple.
ReplyDeleteSo instead of assuming our parents are slow adopters, we should encourage them to explore the internet benefits for them.
Maybe we will end up learning something about new internet usages they found which we would never have even think about.
Ooooo, you made me cry.
ReplyDeleteI also have my family living very far away. But, my mom doesn't use the internet yet......only my dad and the only thing he does is Skype, so I get to see them both (mom and dad) at least we can get to see each other.
With love,
Ale Avery.