How to connect across generations
Generational divides can be particularly stark when it comes to technology and communication. Taking a closer look at our differences can help bring us together.
We all have relatives born in different decades with whom we like to spend quality time, even if it’s of the socially-distanced, digital variety. That’s where we often run into generational differences. Here are some tips for bridging them:
1. Take care of your parents and grandparents
“I have deleted the internet,” calls your frightened grandma after deleting the browser icon. Four-in-10 parents (41%) call their children or other younger family members for remote IT support, while 25% of millennials admit to avoiding family members they think want tech assistance.
Even if older generations, sometimes referred to as digital immigrants, may struggle at times, there is also research finding that they are mostly enthusiastic about embracing new technologies. They sometimes just need some help. You can provide this assistance by helping them pick gadgets with easy interfaces and making sure they have the apps they need and know how to use them.
Introducing a phone’s voice search function can make a huge difference for people with poor eyesight. Any app integrated to a voice-activated virtual assistant can make their life so much better.
Remember to teach them basic cyber-hygiene as well. This likely means simply explaining how to spot suspicious sites or distinguish spam and phishing from legitimate messages.
2. Respect millennials’ approach to communication
Gen Y has also been called “generation mute,” a reference to the fact that some 75% of millennials avoid phone calls because they’re too time consuming, according to BankMyCell.
This may be explained by the fact that millennials have been getting barraged with incoming communications for most of their lives, or by the fact that they were the first generation to be digitally connected to their jobs at all hours of the day. It’s logical for them to become more protective of their personal space as a result. To them, phone calls can feel a bit more invasive because they demand an instant response.
One thing you can do to respect your closest millennials’ digital comfort zones: Set up a quiet home working space where a digital worker can concentrate. You can supplement this by creating a schedule with set working hours.
Or, sometimes close relatives just need to make an agreement and clarify when they can be reachable and when they’re not. Remember to respect everyone’s preferences for text messaging, chatting or calling.
If you are that one millennial in your household, meaning you are probably the most tech-savvy, consider becoming the digital safeguard of the whole family. Search for a digital family security solution that can cover everyone.
3. Engage in the culture of Gen Z
The next group, Gen Z or centennials, are the first who have never known a world without the internet. According to a Snapchat report, Gen Z individuals spend an average of four hours and 15 minutes per day on their phones, with 64% of them remaining connected at all times.
Interestingly, while previous generations showed more independence in their teenage years, new youngsters more often like to be connected with their families and show it online. This trend appeared to grow during COVID-19, when families quarantined together and kids began roping their parents into creating content, having them co-star as recurring characters and dance partners.
Creating content with your children can be just as hilarious to your family circle. But if you worry about your child’s security, make your teen’s account more private — TikTok has recently updated its parental control feature. You should also talk with your kids about digital privacy. Explain your feelings about appearing in public and the importance of keeping some family affairs behind the scenes. This way you can confidently support their creativity and self-expression.
4. Educate your youngest children on digital safety
The newest generation, born between early 2010s and mid-2020, is Generation Alpha. They began in the same year the first-generation iPad was released and Instagram was launched. And even though it’s hard to predict how today’s kindergarteners and preschoolers will behave when they grow up, there’s no doubt their experience will be shaped by technology.
More than 70% of parents of a child under the age of 12 say they are at least somewhat concerned their child might ever spend too much time in front of screens. And as we explain to children how to cross streets safely, we have to make sure they know how to safely use digital devices.
Talk to them and discuss what they are feeling about their life events. Should cyberbullying arise as an issue, it is then more likely that your children would come to you with the problem.
Participating in non-digital leisure and outdoor activities is also important, as is paying attention to
your kids’ digital interests. Your little helper here can be a special parental control app that softly checks your children’s online searching activity and manages screen time without encroaching on their personal space.
With all this in mind, the generational gap may not be so big. We all have some stories to share with each other via digital means — to send old family recipes, photos from children’s school activities, big purchases, or funny pet vide. And if representatives of each generation in your family have at least a common knowledge of safe digital communications, your family connection will be strong, no matter the years or physical distance between you.
