Tech Help How to Navigate the Technological World
Gone are the days when technological devices are only a thing of futuristic novels. Now, pretty much everyone (under the age of 60 or 70 years old) is on a high-speed phone all day long and uses all kinds of other tech gadgets.
For many people, especially young people, technology comes easy to them. They can learn a new app or learn how to navigate all kinds of high-tech devices right away. For others, though, it’s not as easy.
Some people just can not grasp how technology works. Even the simplest form of technology can be tricky to those who never grew up with it. Texting, for instance, can be easily done by millions of people. But some cellphone users can spend upwards of 30 minutes sending a simple “hello” text. Certainly, there are other more complicated instances of technology aside from texting, but many people even struggle with the “easy stuff.”
“Screen time has increased for those in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond, and the rise is apparent across genders and education levels,” wrote Gretchen Livingston of Pew Research Center. “This rise in screen time coincides with significant growth in the adoption of digital technology by older Americans. In 2000, 14% of those ages 65 and older were internet users; now 73% are. And while smartphone ownership was uncommon at all ages around the turn of the 21st century, now about half (53%) of people 65 and older are smartphone owners.”
Many more elderly people are actively using the Internet nowadays. Still, many people require technology assistance in virtually every asset of life. From learning how to thrive working information technology jobs and communicating with computer sales people, to simply creating an email account or taking a picture — technology assistance is more important than ever before.
Here are a few sectors that rely on technology much more today and where technology assistance is often needed for those who don’t have too much digital experience or knowledge:
Technology Help: Finding and Hiring a Contractor
Just because you don’t know how to do stuff around the house doesn’t mean you should just ignore or neglect it for years. That would lead to all sorts of serious problems. Contractors are essential and can help homeowners do all kinds of difficult things. They can improve the look and feel of your property and even increase its overall resale value. These contractors can help improve your business, as well. From signage contractors and landscapers to AC repair workers and carpenters — contractors are necessary for individuals who are unable to perform certain skillful tasks.
But how can you actually find and hire a quality contractor? Unfortunately, there are so many people out there who would do anything to take advantage of people who aren’t so knowledgable about technology. Scammers will pose as legitimate contractors online and offer to perform all sorts of commercial or residential repair work just to steal money.
For instance, scammers often pose as representatives of a quality company and offer skilled HVAC services online. Then, they’ll ask for a large — often much larger than legitimate contractors would cost — payment upfront and never perform any work.
A simple Google search won’t be able to always distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent contractors, so you’ll have to do a lot more research yourself. If you’re in need of technology assistance while hiring home or business contractors, reach out to someone a little more tech-savvy.
Technology Help: Shopping for a Car
Whether you’re checking out a Mitsubishi service or browsing online for used vehicles, shopping for a car can be a breeze — but not for everybody. Young people will surely be able to navigate the internet easily and find the perfect vehicle for them. However, senior citizens aren’t as tech-savvy.
“Frustration appeared to be a significant barrier, which led to a lack of self-confidence and motivation to pursue using the technology,” said Shengzhi Wang of the Design Lab at the University of California San Diego (UCSD).
Technology Help: Improving Your Business
For the most part, if you own a business, you probably have at least some kind of tech ability. However, times are changing and changing very very rapidly. You’re going to need plenty of knowledgable staff members on your team in order to grow your business but it starts at the top. It starts with you.
There are hundreds of applications and various forms of technology that you’ll be required to utilize in order to keep your business afloat, let alone thrive. In the past, you could have gotten away with only using email or a few different websites in order to manage your business. Now, those days are gone, and you’ll need to do A LOT more. You have to be active and engaging on social media, you have to have a safe and secure network, you have to take advantage of innovative hiring solutions, search engine marketing, digital advertising, and so much more.
So, if you don’t know how to do any of these things… what can you do? It’s simple, reach out for help! There are plenty of skillful digital marketing analysts all over the country that can help oversee the more technical aspects of your business. Reaching out for technology assistance can be tough but it’s a necessary step if you’re serious about taking your business to the next level. Virtually every organization could benefit from some tech assistance. For instance, if you’re trying to improve the efficiency of your retail counter, working alongside credit card processing services can speed up these transactions, subsequently saving you a significant amount of money.
Technology Help: Seeking Medical Assistance
Especially during COVID-19 times, medical assistance is more important than ever before. But if you’re under quarantine, you can’t exactly head to the doctor’s office every time you want to speak with a medical professional. Instead, do a little research online and you can take advantage of telemedical applications.
You can speak with a medical professional from the comfort of your own home. Zoom, FaceTime, and similar apps are easy to use for many people, but there are plenty of people who are unaware of how to quickly and efficiently work these applications or devices. Again, doing some research online will certainly help you learn how to navigate different kinds of technology. But simply asking someone who is a little more experienced with tech than you are can be a great and fast way to learn how to take advantage of telehealth programs. Everything from sports medicine to physical pain can at least be discussed online with a medical professional.
Technology Help: Adult Assisted Living
The largest group of people who rely on technology assistance is the elderly. Adult assisted living can involve a lot more than just tech help, but since the world is moving toward a more digital realm, it’s certainly a big part. Someone who is experienced with technology can help elderly individuals communicate with their family over the Internet, schedule medical appointments, and even navigate entertainment websites like YouTube.
Technology Help: Working On School Work
Whether it’s simply submitting a digital worksheet or applying to welding technology school online, it can be difficult to handle everything in a timely and efficient manner. The Internet might seem easy to navigate for some, but there are so many things that can go wrong at any moment. WiFi issues, connection problems, and all sorts of things can cause serious stress. There is nothing more stressful than sending a time-sensitive and important email, only to see the loading bar stuck at 50% for hours on end. Tech and online problems happen all the time, but you need to know how to handle them. Again, continue doing as much online research as possible, but talk to a tech-savvy professional to learn how to do much more!
We are living in a digital world and the Internet is not going to go away. Ever. It’s best to learn as much as possible so you can be ready to navigate all the changes that are coming to the real world and to the online one. Good luck!
