Top five tips for helping your parents get online

You are not alone in wanting to help one, or both of your parents to get online.

More than ten million people in the UK lack basic digital skills. Most are over 65.  We all know an older family member, friend or neighbour who struggles with computers or has yet to get started. Many of us would like to help, but it can be daunting knowing where to start.  Buying a computer for an ageing parent is easy.  But buying the right one can be hard.  With the wrong choice, daily support may fall to you unless you think things through from the beginning! Many older people are highly computer literate, but assuming you are reading this because you think one or both of your parents needs some help to get online, here are five tips:

1. Talk to your parent and agree what type of computer would suit them

This sounds obvious.  But it’s easy to make an expensive mistake.  Would your parent prefer a desktop computer, a laptop that’s easy to move around the house or a tablet that’s small and light?  They may have a clear preference or they may rely on your advice.  But it’s important they are involved in the final decision. Tablets, including iPads, are becoming a popular choice for older people.  If you have a tablet yourself, let them play with it and see how they get on before making a decision.  Laptops and desktops have advantages.  Bigger screens can be helpful and whilst apps are easy to use, many older people find it easier to navigate and to complete online forms on a bigger screen with a keyboard. A bigger screen is also useful for watching films and television on demand.Think about the way your parent might use a computer.  Remember to focus on what benefits or interests them, rather than detailed technical specifications or your own preferences.  Last year’s model with the features your parent would regularly use and enjoy might make a better choice than an all singing and all dancing top of the range model.

2. Think about how easy or not the software is to set up, use and maintain

Very few people use even half of the software on a standard computer. The main benefits of being online  –  staying in touch, keeping up to date, saving time and money and having fun –  rely on just a few key features. Even tablets can need regular updates, which can be confusing for beginners.  The annoying software updates, pop ups and system updates on regular computers are amongst the most common reasons that older people give for giving up on computers. If you choose a PC, you do need to buy some anti-virus software and remember there is an annual subscription to pay. If your parents are absolute beginners, you can expect a lot of calls in the first few months. – be prepared for this!  Enrolling them on a local course at a library or similar may help, especially if they can take their own computer along.  Pick one where the person running it is engaging and responsive. Many high street electronics retailers and local resellers now offer support contracts and will offer telephone help or come out and help your parents for a fee.

3. Make the things your parents enjoy easy to find

It doesn’t take long to put bookmarks on a browser bar or to download a few apps.  Take the time to do this, or help your parent to do it, because it will make a world of difference to their first experience online. Set them up with email, make sure there are shortcuts to the main programmes they want to use on the desktop and on their browser bar, bookmark their email inbox,  BBC News, a favourite newspaper, iPlayer, a couple of links to main hobbies or interests etc. A little bit of effort at this point means your parent will enjoy life online from day one. Otherwise, you might find your expensive purchase is consigned to the spare bedroom.  Don’t forget to include some games, old and new.

4. Think about broadband 

Your parent will need broadband. There are some great deals around, but offers can be confusing and contracts lengthy on the lowest priced deals.  Help your parents shop around and look for reasonable monthly payments on short-term contracts. Don’t ignore mobile internet especially if there is good 3G/4G coverage where your parents live.  Three months of pay as you go mobile broadband at £10 a month could be the best way to start off. If your parents take to the internet, then consider helping them to upgrade, even to superfast broadband where it is available.  But not before they are sure that the internet is really for them.  The downside of pay as you go is that data usually has a monthly limit.  If your parents are regularly using up their data allowance then it’s time to help them upgrade to fixed broadband.

5. Put your feet up!

Don’t worry, if this all sounds too much like hard work.  There are now computers specifically designed for beginners and those who don’t want or need standard kit with no support.    They offer tablets, laptops and touchscreen desktops, which are simple to set up, come with safe and easy to use software and provide unlimited telephone helpline support.  With permission, they can also access your parent’s computer to show them how to do new things online, or fix a problem, install a printer or set them up on Skype.

We offer a great at home computer training service. For details, call now on 03333 441584. Lessons costs £40 per hour.

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