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How to Help Your Elderly Parents Use Digital Devices Safely

Mar 02, 2023

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With the rise in technology, more and more seniors are embracing digital devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, to stay connected, get information, and entertain themselves. However, as our parents age, they often struggle to keep up with the latest technology trends.

While technology can make life easier, it can also be dangerous without proper safety measures.

Here, in this article, we’ve put together 10 simple tips for helping your elderly parents use digital devices safely. With these tips, you can help your parents embrace the digital age with confidence and peace of mind.

Let’s get started!

1) Set Up the Device Properly


Setting up a digital device for an older person can be quite difficult. However, setting up the device properly is important to ensure their safety and security. Here are some tips to get you started:

Choose a user-friendly interface: 

Look for an operating system or device that is easy for the elderly user to understand. For example, you may want to consider an Android device with an accessible home screen, simple navigation menus, and big icons.

Configure basic settings: 

Configure the device's basic settings, such as the language, time zone, and accessibility features. This will help your elderly parent navigate the device more easily.

Install apps: 

Once you've configured the device, install any necessary apps to help your parent stay connected, such as email and a social media manager. Also, install apps to help them learn how to use the device more easily.

2) Install Security Software


Installing security software is a must for any digital device, especially for elderly parents. Security software can help protect against multiple online threats, including viruses, malware, spyware, and adware.

Choose a reputable security provider, for example, McAfee Antivirus. Besides full antivirus protection, it provides additional features, like a password manager and VPN. Next, install the software on your parent’s device and take the time to explain how it works and what it does.

3) Keep the Device Updated


Ensuring that your parents' digital device is updated is essential to keeping them safe online. Updates will help protect against the latest malicious threats. In addition, keeping the device up-to-date ensures that bugs or issues are addressed and fixed.

To keep the device updated, you should set it to install updates when available automatically. You can also manually check for updates regularly.

4) Teach Them How to Use It


Teaching your elderly parents how to use digital devices may be challenging, but they need to stay connected. So, start by introducing the basics, like turning the device on and off, opening and closing apps, and typing using the touchscreen or physical keyboard.

You can also show them how to use the device’s internet browser, access email, and download and use helpful apps.

5) Show Them How to Stay Safe Online


Helping your elderly parents stay safe online can be tasking. But there are steps you can take to make it easier. Here are some tips you can show your parents to help them stay secure when using digital devices:

  • Teach them the dangers of clicking on links in emails and social media posts. Explain that these links could be malicious and lead to malware or phishing scams.

  • Educate them about the importance of strong passwords. Remind them to use different passwords for different accounts and not to share their passwords with anyone.

  • Warn them against visiting suspicious websites. They should also avoid downloading any software from unknown sources.

  • Let them know to watch out for pop-ups and ads that could be malicious. Explain that if a website asks for personal information, it’s best to close the tab and not proceed.

  • Help them understand the importance of updating their security software regularly and keeping their devices updated with the latest software versions.

  • Talk to them about vishing, cyber attacks with the use of telephony, where malicious actors pretend to be from a reputable organization and try to lure people into giving their personal data. Let your parents know they can use PhoneHistory to find out who the unknown number belongs to.


6) Help Them Stay Connected


Many elderly parents rely on digital devices to connect with their friends and family. There are a few simple ways you can help them do this:

  • Help them set up video chat software, such as Skype or FaceTime, to keep in touch with loved ones who live far away.

  • Show them how to use social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, so that they can stay connected with the wider world.

  • Teach them how to make the most of their digital device’s calendar and reminders functions, so they don’t forget important dates or events.


By helping your elderly parents stay connected with their family and the wider world, you’ll give them a valuable gift that will bring much joy to their lives.

7) Help Them Back Up Their Data


Data is one of the most valuable assets for anyone, and for older adults especially, their data can be extremely important. Your parents must back up their data in case something happens to their devices.

Depending on their device type, you can help them back up their data in a few ways. For instance, if they have an Android device, they can back up their data to the cloud with Google Drive. Or if they have an Apple device, they can use iCloud to store their data safely.

It’s also a good idea to encourage them to save important documents, photos, and videos onto a separate USB drive or hard drive as an additional backup. That way, their data will be safe and secure no matter what happens.

8) Limit Social Media Sharing


As your parents explore the digital world, it's essential to remind them about the dangers of social media. Encourage them to share only limited, appropriate information. Explain the risks of sharing private information and help them adjust their privacy settings to limit who can see their posts.

Ensure they know not to accept friend requests from people they don't know and teach them to ignore suspicious links or messages.

9) Monitor Their Activity


Monitoring your parents’ activity on digital devices is important for their online safety. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity and make sure scammers are not targeting them. Encourage them to be open and honest about what they’re doing online so you can help keep them safe.

10) Get Them Help If They Need It


If your elderly parent needs help using their digital device, plenty of resources are available. If you're not able to teach them yourself, there may be local classes or services that can offer assistance.

Many tech companies now offer telephone support and customer service teams that can answer any questions your parent might have about their device.

Final Thoughts


As technology continues to evolve and become more complex, it can be intimidating for elderly parents to use digital devices. However, they can learn how to use them safely and securely with the right guidance and assistance.

With the 10 tips mentioned here, along with a little bit of time and patience, you can help your parents enjoy the benefits of technology without any worry.