TECHNOLOGY IS EXCLUDING GENERATIONS

Today’s rapidly advancing technology often overlooks the basic requirements needed for older generations and people with disabilities to engage in society fully. It’s increasingly evident that many in our older age, sometimes as young as their fifties and those with disabilities, struggle to use current technology. From eating to banking to healthcare to shopping to travel, life has become increasingly complex for this Older Disability (OD) Generation to remain active in society.

Tasks such as ordering food and managing finances have become entwined with technology. The Pew Research Centre reports that only 26% of internet users aged 65 and over feel confident using smartphones and other electronic devices for these tasks. Shockingly, according to the Office of National Statistics 2018, 5.3 million adults in the UK, or 10% of the adult UK population, do not use the internet.

Even eating out has become a complex task. QR codes have replaced menus, creating challenges for the OD category, who may not feel comfortable with such technology. As a result, many in this group are not driving, travelling, or socialising because life has become too complex, and no one seems to be addressing these problems, leaving generations of humans ostracised in today’s society.

Many older adults and individuals with disabilities in the UK face significant challenges when filling out online forms for essential services, such as applying for blue badges, Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges, council tax, driver’s licenses, or passports and paying online bills. The digital nature of these processes can pose accessibility issues, particularly for those who are not tech-savvy or have impairments that hinder their interaction with digital interfaces. Speaking from personal experience, helping my 75-year-old Mother to fill out the blue badge parking form online was a daunting task that required an hour of navigating a complex web of high-level IT knowledge. Similar issues arise when dealing with ULEZ charges, council tax forms, driver’s license applications, passport procedures and paying bills.

The banking sector’s shift towards online and mobile banking further illustrates the widening gap between technological advancements and inclusivity. In 2019, a Federal Reserve survey in the US found that less than half of smartphone owners over 60 used mobile banking due to security concerns and difficulties in understanding the technology.

Online health consultations have become the norm due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, research from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) shows that 38% of older adults are unprepared for video visits with their healthcare providers. The lack of people seeking health care is particularly concerning, given the current global health crisis.

The shift towards online shopping and travel bookings has resulted in challenges for the OD Generation. In the first quarter of 2020, e-commerce accounted for 11.5% of total sales in the U.S., yet a National Retail Federation study found that only 49% of Baby Boomers prefer to shop online. A YouGov study found that 18% of UK adults over 55 find it difficult to use online shopping websites. In the travel industry, figures indicate a similar trend. Though 76% of UK holidaymakers booked their holidays online, this figure dropped to just 56% for those over 65. A study by AARP revealed that only 30% of people aged 60 and overbook their travel online due to a lack of confidence and concerns over security.

Looking towards the future, new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the metaverse, and quantum computers could bring even more confusion. AI is a clever computer system that can learn and make decisions similar to humans but often faster and more accurately. The metaverse is a new kind of online world where you can interact with others more immersively, like a more advanced version of video calls or online games. Quantum computers are fast computers that could solve problems a million times quicker than current computers. They could predict weather patterns to plan outings or improve medical research. However, these advancements could further alienate the OD Generation.

Addressing these disparities requires a collective, society-wide effort. We need to create inclusive technology that considers the needs and abilities of all users right from the design and development stage. This means advocating for digital literacy programs that equip the OD Generation with the skills to navigate the digital sphere confidently. With all the new technology, the OD Generation has been sidelined and forgotten. Society ridicules us for our lack of ability to understand the new technology that permeates most areas of our daily lives. 

So what can we do to make this lost generation get back into society? Perhaps a largely peaceful protest in major UK and US cities could be a start. We need to be noticed and not become the forgotten OD Generations. Let’s make a stand for the OD Generation Inclusive Society, making it clear we don’t want to be excluded from civilisation; we want to be part of our society. We come from a rich historical past where personal interaction, conversation, letter writing, and outdoor play were life’s joys. We gifted life, speech, and knowledge to the designers of this new technology; perhaps they could share their new knowledge considering our needs to ensure our inclusion in today’s society.