By silicon.com, 9 March 2006 17:20
The UK is lagging far behind the US in terms of the number of older people using the internet, according to Intel chairman Craig Barrett.
Perhaps part of the problem is the IT industry's own attitude to age.
The tech industry certainly seems to be doing a pretty poor job of catering to older consumers at the moment. Even those that have bought PCs don't seem especially overwhelmed by their experiences so far. This is the story we get from some recent Intel research.
The research shows only 59 per cent of over-50s in the UK said the benefits of having a computer outweigh the running costs - hardly a glowing endorsement for the wonderful world of IT. And just over half say the internet has broadened their horizons. Perhaps people coming to computers later in life are less wowed by them than teenagers.
One problem is that many older people are turned off by the design and marketing of a traditional PC. Hardware manufacturers need to come up with designs that are more attractive to older users. And retailers need to provide sales staff with a better idea of what older users might want - along with call centre support staff that don't assume everyone is an IT expert.
When 'silver surfers' do get online, how many services are there for older people compared to the file-sharing mash-up frenzy available for youngsters?
At the same time, the attitude of the IT industry itself is doing nothing to help older people get involved.
The IT business is - apart from pop music and modelling - perhaps the most ageist industry going. We've heard from people - not in their 40s and 50s but in their 30s - who have run into difficulty because of their age when applying for IT jobs.
And so it is unsurprising that IT can't attract pensioners - it has so little respect for older workers, it's doesn't have a clue about what older people want.
Before trying to reach out to silver surfers, perhaps the IT industry should deal with its own ageism issues first.
Comments
There are 3 comments. Join the discussion
1. Brian R. Rees
This statement is long overdue.
Unfortunately there are those who took early retirement because they had no knowledge of computing. In addition some adopted the attitude that the digital world was not for them. An approach that they may well live to regret.
I have used PCs since 1991 and have never looked back. The time and effort has paid huge dividends.
I am 72-years-old and use my PC for many tasks. Photographical speaking it has enabled me to be in complete control, no third parties.
2. anonymous
Please could someone tell me what a 'file-sharing mash-up frenzy' is? As I'm concerned I may be missing out...
3. anonymous
Hi,
I help run a course for 'silver surfers' who are new to computers (also act as PC help for the villages around where I live). The youngest is 60+ the oldest over 80 ! They are all OK when in class and have someone to help them but often run into problems when at home. The major intial hurdle is not buying the PC but getting on line (usually broadband) Set up procedures from any broadband supplier are positively arcane. How they expect anyone without tech knowledge to do it is beyond me. As for help services - mainly dire with BT far and away the worst. Incomprehensible people who read from a script and cannot really 'Help'. Transferring your broadband service from an old PC to your new one - complete blank from 'Help desk' although this must be a common request.
I have run software teams and I would have never allowed the typical broadband set up software to leave my team. The developers should try it on a range of potential users from 6 - 60 and see what happens.
Simon