As society advances, so does the technology that we use on a regular basis. Everything from our television to our coffee maker can now have technology baked into the device, allowing us to control it, monitor our usage and take advantage of countless features that make our lives more efficient.
At least, if you were born with tech in your hand.
For many people, technology is still an alien concept that we've been forced to learn just to stay with the times. It's undoubtedly something that can greatly improve our lives, such as allowing us to keep in touch with our children from a long distance or use convenient services like online shopping. However, it's still a challenge to keep up with all of the latest technologies especially if you're not very tech-savvy to begin with.
So to help you out, we're going to teach you a couple of tips to learn how you can keep up with technology even as a technophobe that prefers more traditional methods to get something done.
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/q8U1YgBaRQk (CC0)
Start with an open mind
One of the first things to work on is opening your mind and accepting technology. A lot of people consider themselves technophobes because they refuse to change their ways and use technology, but this only hinders your progress and makes it difficult for you to keep up with all of the changes in society. Yes, you might prefer to do things the old way, but the world moves on and won't wait for you or accommodate you for much longer.
That's why many services have been slowly switching to digital counterparts. Even if there are traditional services available, such as having your bank statements mailed to you, there are more convenient options available that allow you to do more things (such as mobile banking). So in order to start taking advantage of these benefits and keep up with technology, you have to fully embrace it.
Get used to tech with your friends and family members
Don't be afraid to ask friends and family members for help, or to use them as testing partners for things like sending an emoji or starting a video call. Friends and family members are great resources for learning different types of tech, or even just to ask for a bit of assistance for something. While you don't want to nag a family member or friend endlessly for assistance, there's no shame in asking for a bit of help every now and then if something is unclear or difficult.
However, even if you're not the type to ask your friends and family members for help, you can still try out different apps with them to get accustomed to using something. You won't learn to use technologies if you don't practise using them or try and apply them to practical situations. For instance, if you're still accustomed to phoning your children to get in touch, why not consider sending them a message instead? The more you get used to the act of using technology, the easier it will be to stay up-to-date with the latest changes in your technology.
Use free resources to learn
There are plenty of excellent places to learn practical tech skills. For instance, local libraries and community centres usually have lessons dedicated to learning how to use a computer or smartphone. These are popular with parents and seniors that aren't accustomed to using technology as it gives them an opportunity to practise using those devices. You'll also have plenty of assistance from whoever is operating the classes in case you run into any issues.
Then there are sources like YouTube or blog posts like this one that could teach you a thing or two about new technologies. There are lots of free lessons on the internet that can even teach you how to use tech like smartphones and laptops, or very specific types of software such as office productivity programs. Not only does this help you stay up to date with tech, but it could even teach you new skills to use in the workplace.
As modern technology advances, it's becoming increasingly difficult for technophobes to fit in with the rest of society. Embracing technology offers many advantages, such as allowing you to embrace the plethora of new communication methods available or offering you countless conveniences such as online deliveries. We highly suggest that you use technology on a more regular basis if you consider yourself a technophobe, and to also study how to use different types of technology in your spare time.
Leave a Reply