Senior citizens have rich histories to share with a new generation who sometimes prefers texting to oral conversation. This presentation is meant to promote awareness of digital citizenship with a focus on seniors and tips for understanding digital culture and youth today.

1. Digital Citizenship
for Seniors
By Dr. Valerie Hill
Northaven Senior Living

2. How can we relate to our children and
grandchildren who prefer digital
communication to oral language?
Digital Natives vs Digital Immigrants

4. Watch what you are doing!
● Bumping into things while walking!
● No texting while driving
● Teens sleep by their phones
● “Ringxiety” or phantom vibration syndrome

5. http://weknowmemes.com/2012/07/whats-the-point-of-being-afraid-of-the-zombie-apocalypse/
On the sidewalk… or On the bus.

6. Too much technology?
● Need for multitasking (expectation)
● Different devices for various tasks
● “Keeping up” with technology
● FOMO
● No “Down time” or “Off time”
● Nomophobia

7. Seniors and digital devices

8. Technology can enhance our lives
● Balancing physical and virtual worlds
● Purchasing the best match for the person
● Choosing the best tools for the job
● Advocating digital citizenship
“So the phrase “digital citizenship” has to do with the rights and duties of a person
using technology along with other people—because a person must consider that he
lives with others on an interconnected Earth” (Rivero 2014, 7).

9. Rea
Will they read and write?
Yes- in new ways!

10. Education - Entertainment - Edutainment
● The school library became the iPad management center. (an example)
● Apps Apps Apps (some require little effort and no critical thinking)
● Learning is not always fun! Sometimes it is just hard work.
● The gamification of everything
● Disposable media
● Convenience trumps quality
Don’t blame teachers.
The digital revolution happened to them, too!

11. Family “togetherness?

12. Some argue our connected devices are
making us less connected!

13. Tiny tots as digital citizens.

14. How young is too young?
● Babies and Toddlers on iPads?
● Cell phones (Survey says age 6)
● Tech industry parents avoid giving their kids devices!

15. How much of life is spent on a screen?

16. The human brain is changing!
Culture of catastrophe - Breaking news! (Sherry Turkle)
Need for cell phone- in case of emergency
Constant pull of hyperlinks - (Nicholas Carr)
Less ability for focus for long periods

17. Hey world!
Look at me!

18. Are we promoting self-centeredness?
By telling our kids…
● You are SPECIAL
● You have much to share
● Delete those who don’t agree with you!
● Create a “personal dashboard” of incoming information
Do those ideas promote empathy and awareness of others? NO

19. “Aunt Valerie- Help! Can I get off the grid?”
My nephew asked about how to cut off
the constant incoming information!
The world is now so interconnected,
one must participate.
It is mandatory.
We have to learn ways to deal with it.

20. How can we cope?
● Mindfulness
● Meditation
● Taking a break from technology
● Balancing time for reflection
● Think positively about the future
Hope - Love - Faith

21. Seniors have so much to share with young people!
You have a strong, rich history that is invaluable.
Be a role model….patient, gentle and determined.

22. Sherry Turkle says...
“[Older people]...of all people, should be given occasions to
talk about their real lives, filled with real losses and real
loves, to someone who knows what those things are.”
Conversation is powerful to human beings.

23. Tips to Connect with Digital Citizens
● Ask about THEIR interests
● Ask them to show you what they are doing with technology (even if you don’t
understand it)
● Avoid criticism
● Be patient
● Do not expect much conversation!
● Model good “physical world” citizenship
● There is no going back - accept and learn to adapt
● Great resource: Common Sense Media

24. References
Carr, N. (2019). The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. New York: Norton & Co.
Cell Phones for Kids. (2018) https://abc7ny.com/technology/study-53-percent-of-kids-get-a-cell-phone-at-age-6/637311/
Prensky, Mark. (2001). Digital Native, Digital Immigrants. Retrieved from
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
Rivero, Victor. Digital world Brave. (2014). Internet@Schools, 21(1), 6-8.
Tech Industry goes to Tech-Free Schools (2018) https://www.educationnews.org/technology/silicon-valley-tech-execs-
sending-kids-to-tech-free-schools/
Turkle, S. (2015). Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. New York: Penguin Books.