Come on!

What do they use technology for? Surely if they use it for purchasing from Amazon they could figure out how to return. Must admit my knowledge is limited but since DH dies last year I've been on a huge learning curve. Hope those folk you are speaking of never have to sort out bereavement issues or you will be on call day in day out.

mokryna

Children pick IT quickly because if they press the wrong button it is not them who pay to right the problem.
We ‘the payers’ are more hesitant because have to pay for our mistakes. Banks do not cover for the mistake of a wrongful fat finger. With this threat hanging over me stresses me to the limit.

I don’t think that’s their reasoning mokryna, children pick up IT skills because they are interested, right from being babies, in technology. They aren’t scared, of making mistakes or of trying new things. I doubt it even crosses their minds what the consequences of doing something wrong are.
On the other hand, some adults are too scared. There are plenty of checks on online banking, so it’s actually quite difficult to do it wrong.

I have generally kept up with new technology and my husband,81 taught maths and IT so still generally up to speed but recently we had a new central heating timer installed which has had me in tears of frustration and even my husband thinks it's ridiculously complicated. The instructions are inadequate and even on line videos don't make it clear. I've discovered were not alone in finding it confusing. We're having it replaced tomorrow!

I was bought up with the www. By my youngsters, kicking and screaming. Two are in extremely well paid successful careers with it.

They would show me twice. After that I had to figure it out. Google it they said: don't click links within websites unless they are w
Windows, Microsoft or the like.

I taught myself. I can do the majority now. Even repairs and resets etc. I won't touch the inside though. That goes to the repair shop which aa yet it never has had too.

Talk them through doing it themselves next time, getting them to write down what they are supposed to do is the best way making it clear they must become independent.

If they can read, they can follow instructions. Two sayings I have

1/ God couldn't be everywhere so God gave us Google

2/ Sponsored by Google

Good luck

For those of you that may be housebound and unable to read your meter (NOT those who expect Energy Companies to do it for you) ALL Energy Companies have a Priority Register that you can get your name added to and they will schedule a meter reading visit for you. Possibly once or twice a year.
You can also request a Smart Meter which automatically sends readings to your Energy Company.

Yes! V easy to do….I learnt how to pay cheque in with my banking app last week 🎉

Tooyoungytobeagrandma

You don't have to trail into town with a cheque. You can now scan it with your phone and do it on your online banking app. It's great, unless it doesn't work, but that's only happened once for me, thank goodness. Online banking all the way for me, saves me getting cross in the branch when do few staff to "serve" but lots trying to get you to "do it online" in the branch!!

Aaargh! I was accosted once when needing to pay some cash in and transfer to another account, bit messy! A woman with a tablet blocked my way (!?) And asked me what my business was today? I said " my business!" Trying to side step her, nope! She again blocked my advance and asked if I knew about paying in and banking online with their machines ? I asked her why was she asking me that? This went on and I was close to walking out(or worse ) I eventually managed to make a break for the lectures(no more security counters? And dragged out the £8k in cash I had to bank , asking for a private room to say what indeed them to do with it! Everyone looked as if they'd faint! Finally a mature clerk took control , took me into a side office apologised counted the cash and followed my instructions ! Whew!! I left and called the rottweiler over, saying quietly " don't ever block my way in again " and gave her " the look" she just blinked at me! Never been in since......bunch of amateurs......

Children pick IT quickly because if they press the wrong button it is not them who pay to right the problem.
We ‘the payers’ are more hesitant because have to pay for our mistakes. Banks do not cover for the mistake of a wrongful fat finger. With this threat hanging over me stresses me to the limit.

I only get cross when somebody won't engage with things like buying off the internet or online banking because they are scared of fraud but will happily let me do things for them. the hypocrisy of it!

I used to think that one could actually break the internet just by pressing a wrong button😆

Yeah do them a "to do" step by step for Their equipment, btw why are you doing this for them?
We're 66&69 and have used pc at home since late 90s and I've work d with tech since 70 s! So no stranger to anything nowadays .
I'm often nonplussed when those younger than me act like complete cavemen/cavewomen?! With the simplest of takes like printing a document or sending an email! I wonder if they've been living under a rock?!
Some refuse through fear so I'd leave them to it......with your list of course.

Doodledog the libraries themselves may not exist for much longer in some areas at least.☹️

What was always particularly annoying was the superior stare and wave of the hand, "Oh, I don't bother with all that!"

I'd get them to write simple step by step instructions down on a piece of paper 1,2,3 etc and use a ruler to go down the page. People give up too quickly.

Part of my job years ago was as IT trainer and I was perfectly happy with using and teaching systems I knew how to use and did on a daily basis. Nowadays, apart from buying stuff on ebay and Amazon, I am truly scared of online stuff. I don't have a laptop etc, only my 2nd hand phone (the battery for which dies after about an hour), break out in a cold sweat if I have to get into all the password, user name maze, and drop down list options which don't cover what I need to deal with. It is not unwillingness, it is actual fear. My son is an IT tech, but if I ask him to walk me through a particular task, he rushes through with great impatience so I never get any further with my understanding of what I am doing. I too do not use the over complicated TV menu system but not bothered about that as I'm not a TV watcher and have more interesting things to do. I also prefer a physical CD for music rather than asking Google or Alex, as that invariably strays away from the artist or group I want to hear.
So, although I acknowledge the frustration some of you are expressing about non IT users, some of us are just downright afraid, unable to keep up with the huge progress of IT in recent years, and who just don't get it.

My late mum couldn't manage everything on her tablet/pc towards the end in her 90s, that was mainly eyesight problems, she had learned to email, Skype friends abroad, do lots of things
Dad left it to her as he had poor eyesight much sooner
Sometimes it is like my ex. A scientist with a very technical job, but it was always me who had to be the techie sorting out It problems, that was to far bow him. Couldn't use the washer, he hadn't had the training course, if ever he did use it he would make sure that he mucked it up, couldn't set the radio alarm, again not been on the course nor the coffee machine that had a timer on it. Well I'd not been on a y courses either, it can be a way of refusing to do a household job.
I know the occasional older person who has no technology but I know people in care homes who are on Facebook etc

I'm mostly fine with IT but hate on line banking and parking when you are forced to pay by card - sometimes in dark car parks when you struggle to read the board and have to phone a number that doesn't pick up. I'm no good with apps either.. Life's too short to worry about computers

Oh no you’re not being unrealistic I’m 68 and I feel the same as you. None of my friends can even send an email. One in particular can’t even operate her television remote properly she’s scared to incase she messes it up!
I have on many occasions worked through how to do things with them writing down each and every step like an idiots guide but they still don’t do it so now I’ve given up because you know what if they were that interested they would do it or at least try it. But they are really not I’ve asked them so it was a waste of time. Very frustrating for me because I love technology and embrace it. Hey ho

I don’t think strengths and weaknesses really applies with using technology, because all young children, whatever their abilities pick up complex IT skills easily. It’s more about your willingness to be taught and your willingness to practice and make use of what you’ve learnt.
I print off the help page when I don’t know how to do something I don’t do frequently, because I find that easier than flipping screens while I’m trying to sort out the issue. Having to ask somebody else is not what I want - and you become a nuisance if you ask for help all the time for things you have already been shown how to do.
For anybody 75 or under in particular, and anybody else who wants to retain their independence, we just have to put our big girl pants on and get on with it, whether we want to or not, or we will be left behind, unable to carry out the simplest transactions - and it won’t be long.

I absolutely feel your pain. I do try and try with the internet and things keep going wrong. Sometimes I cry. Next time you should say you will show them once more and that will be the last time and stick to it. But what will I do if my daughter says that to me.

Some sites don’t help by having too many adverts on the page.
I tried to book hotels for my next trip and finally went to a travel agent where they also cursed because pages kept dropping out when they wanted to book. If they have problems there is no hope for me.

My bank have told me that my phone is too old and I should up date it for their new services!

I déteste thé three women that come up on GN page these days.

My DH is like this, learned helplessness, drives me mad 😡

Why would they want to learn when they know you can do it for them lol you need to try and get them to not rely on you. Don’t you have groups that teach these things. I know my library does silver surfers teaching ppl ways round a pc basics like email online shopping etc

I think we all have strengths and weaknesses so maybe your weaknesses you need help with to. Swings and roundabout.

You don't have to trail into town with a cheque. You can now scan it with your phone and do it on your online banking app. It's great, unless it doesn't work, but that's only happened once for me, thank goodness. Online banking all the way for me, saves me getting cross in the branch when do few staff to "serve" but lots trying to get you to "do it online" in the branch!!