Cyber-Seniors: Connecting Generations

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"Over 49 million North American adults do NOT use technology in their day-to-day lives, whereas young people under the age of 25 grew up in a digital world and use technology in all aspects of their lives. Eliminating the digital divide allows inter-generational relationships to thrive and addresses the growing problem of social isolation amongst the elderly."

These are just some of the statistics put forth by the Cyber-Seniors organization, that started out as a high school project documentary. When we think about seniors navigating technology, we usually see similar things to those in the film trailer above, such as difficulty navigating the internet and even writing emails. Not only is there a steep learning curve for seniors, but there is also the fact that most seniors are intimidated by technology, with the rapid pace of advancement. 


While most people under the age of 25 are connected to the world through technology, many seniors are isolated from that because of lack of technical skills. Social isolation, such as this, poses an increase in health risks for seniors. The Cyber-Seniors organization, encourages "tech-savvy youth" to mentor older adults in technology. Not only is this a way for seniors to learn technical skills, but it also presents a social environment that combats the ever-growing age gap between these generations. By socializing with each other, young adults and seniors benefit from the interactions.



The best part about the Cyber-Seniors program is that anyone can help by using the resources on their website. Even if you aren't tech savvy and want to become a student mentor, you have the option to do so. They provide amazing opportunities to people all over the country, and inspire similar programs throughout the world. In developing this program, this non-profit organization is making huge strides to combat social isolation in seniors and working towards their goal to, "bridge the digital divide and connect generations through technology."


If you would like to find out more about Cyber-Seniors, please visit the link below:


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