How to Deal With Elderly Parents and the Technology Generation Gap

The rapid development of tech solutions and deep interest in various social phenomena have led to a massive technology generation gap. Representatives of Gen Y and Gen X can miss a whole ‘era’ of internet jokes by simply not visiting Twitter for a few weeks.

So, if their passion or job does not require a constant online presence or regular updates in the world of technology, then odds are they will lag behind when communicating with younger generations.

You must have faced difficulties during conversations with your folks. It is often about presenting a concise explanation and leaving them to do guesswork or throwing new words at them, hoping they will ask what those mean. But you still have to talk to each other without significant boundaries, right? Well, here are the tips on how to achieve that and close the gap.

Use Simple Words to Explain Technology Concepts

Have you ever asked for homework help in college with a regular research paper, for instance, and received a kind of dissertation with overlong sentences and words as if you were seeking to be published in a scholarly journal? Isn’t that frustrating? 

First of all, it may not be your style at all. So, there is a risk of getting caught. Second, wouldn’t it be better if you could fully understand what was written there? The same refers to our problem – don’t try to give Investopedia definitions; start with the wikiHow level.

In other words, imagine talking to a child. You won’t start babbling about Raleigh scattering from the get-go when trying to explain to a child why the sky is blue, will you? Imagine your parents are children, too. 

So, it’s not ‘CRM management’ but rather ‘handling customer data,’ not ‘meme’ but ‘graphic or verbal description of an idea or a joke,’ not ‘AI-based chatbot’ but… Well, you got the gist – here, you will need to talk about AI first and then – about chatbots.

By taking these steps, you can help close the technology generation gap.

Drawing Modern Conceptions Out Can Help

Visual memory is a helpful tool for understanding a complex concept. Not everyone can imagine the whole thing functioning by simply listening to someone.

Drawing simplistic stuff (and combining it with the previous tip) is especially helpful to make the person connect the dots. Use online tools, built-in ones, or extensions for this purpose. You may even use an ordinary whiteboard if you have one.

Don’t Go Into Details At First

When trying to make sense of a new thing, few people can process even the basics on the first attempt. Often, there is a need to repeat the explanation later to make the information sink in. So, start with a general definition, give examples, and give moderate chunks of information.

Let your parents know that this or that phenomenon/thing exists, and ask them what exactly needs to be explained. Otherwise, you will mainly talk to hear your own voice, and your parents will still not have the slightest idea about what you have rambled about for 30 minutes.

Ask Them to Repeat What They’ve Grasped

Usually, the older your parents are (and the later they begin to close the technology generation gap), the less they may remember or understand. In addition, older people may pretend that they got it but, in fact, have no idea what you have just said. Still, it’s not all about age. Everyone has their unique way of processing information, and context always matters.

So, asking a person whether they understood your explanation is a helpful habit that helps avoid miscommunication—making the posed question open-ended leaves almost no room for that. Therefore, ask your mom or dad what they learned from your words.

Does it remind you of a teaching method rather than day-to-day means of communication? Yup. So, go easy on it, not to bore your folks.

Make them practice using new technology

You may try to clarify what a voice message is and why it is convenient sometimes, but your parents won’t get it unless they use the tool. So, record some messages for them and send those via social media or messengers from time to time. Ask them to do the same. Make them not only talk about what you have discussed but also try it out.

Even small steps, like learning how to send an email or text message, can help reduce the technology generation gap. There will be some laugh-getters and awkward situations, but it shouldn’t stop you or them. Practice makes perfect and helps you adopt new habits!

Compare With the Concepts They Are Familiar With

As recommended above, examples come in handy from the very start. The more analogies you can develop, the faster your “lesson” will end. 

Even the most minor connected concepts can save you time and effort. For example, when explaining how the internet works, compare all computers in the world to houses, wires – to roads, and pieces of information passed through the web – to cars delivering packages.

Don’t Push Them to be Technology Savvy

Finally, don’t be too up-and-coming. Some stuff you need to explain may contradict their beliefs, values, and their vision of normal.

Try not to be evaluative, be like Wikipedia – there is a known fact of this and that, and there are different opinions like this and that, and it’s your choice what to think about it, dear mom and dad.

Final Words on the Technology Generation Gap

With these technology generation gap tips, you can not only improve your communication but hone your teaching skills, too. So, it’s a win-win!

If you lack patience, remember those who explained some difficult stuff to you when you were a child. If your parents are among them, return the favor. And if they are not, you can teach them something new!

Can you give any other tips on how to bridge the gap between the old and young generations?