WHY ARE TEENAGERS CONSIDERED MORE TECH SAVVY THAN ADULTS

     WHY ARE TEENAGERS CONSIDERED MORE TECH SAVVY THAN ADULTS

How often have you seen in your surroundings, an aged person approaching a youngster to ask for help? It is common knowledge that the adults obviously have more experience and wisdom rather than the young generation. It is always the youth which is in need of assistance from the aged. Seldom have we ever seen an adult, swallowing their pride and approaching a youngster to ask advice. No. That only happens when our friend (or foe), technology, is involved.

We, the future, the kids, are always dependent on our elders for everything except one thing. Technology. It is very well known that no adult has ever lived to see the day when they were able to open a G-mail account on their own. Yes, I exaggerated the previous statement but it is somewhat the truth. Why is it that anytime grown-ups want help with their hardware and software they always turn to the yet-to-be-grown-ups for assistance? Why are teenagers able to effortlessly solve technical issues? How does the child become the parent in this case?

The answer is very simple. As a teenager myself, I have noticed that technology is actually not at all that complex. Being an amateur programmer myself, I have always observed similarities between different programming languages. The syntax might be different but ultimately the logic is same. Or in some cases, so is the syntax. Every device that has ever been created works on the same logic. Every website that has been designed always has the same pattern. Creating an Amazon account is very similar to creating an Instagram account, because the syntax is the same. Once you understand the basics such as constructing a unique username, having a strong password, generating an OTP, entering the right credit card details, everything else is child’s play (pun intended).

In fact, I feel that commercial websites are now slowly being designed to be very user-friendly and easy to navigate. More often than not, performing online tasks is just made up of two parts. First, read the instructions written on the screen and second, keep all the necessary documentation ready for input.

And very often the words written on the buttons actually indicate their functions literally. For example if there is a button that says, ‘click this checkbox to use this address as default next time’ it actually means whatever is written. You click on the checkbox if you wish to use the same address the next time you wish to order something online. Or another example could be; if you see a button next to an app which says ‘Force stop’, its function is literally what the name suggests. Forcing the application to stop working. Elder people often fail to read these messages and signs and misinterpret them to their lack of ability in being tech savvy.

Another very frequent issue that I have noticed from personal experience is indolence. If you help someone with a simple tech support problem then you are creating an image of yourself in their minds as someone who knows everything about technology. So, in that way, if that person ever encounters another problem related to computers, they will refuse to neither think on it nor act on it because now, they have an easier and simpler solution - You. Even if the problem is as simple as checking the ‘I am not a robot’ box they will not think on the issue and directly approach you.

But yes, after all, the crux of the problem lies in routine. The elders, since they were born before the Gen Z era, were never introduced to using new technology such as smartphones, laptops, smart TV, etc. In their era, radios, letters, telegrams and landline telephones ruled the world. So, adapting to something entirely new without prior experience will pose a challenge. On the other hand, this new generation was born into the world of wireless technology and internet. From the start they have been using these devices so they grew accustomed to it.



But if you are a teenager reading this, then I need you to understand that the elders are not wrong in their place to ask for your help. If we can be dependent on them for so many things, then do they not have a right to be dependent on us for being their IT tech support?
And if you are an elder person reading this then may I ask you one favor? Technology is not really as difficult as you might think it is. The next time you encounter a problem, think on it and try to use simple logic. It works.

But all in all, personally I think it is a good thing that my grandparents and parents are dependent on me for tech support. I feel that it strengthens the bond between us and catalyses the strength of our relationships. The teenager begins to understand that adults don’t always have the answers to every problem and the adult begins to respect the teenager’s problem solving ability to a higher degree. Maybe sometimes the adult might even feel – “This generation isn’t so bad after all!”

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11 Comments

  1. Good Blog Razeen....Keep writing we are loving it. Hope both teenagers and elders like it. Actually I am from generation in middle of both your referred teenagers and elders 😊

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  2. Hey, very well explained, all generations would agree !!!

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  3. well , pretty intresting and quite accurate ... i felt like a boomer when i first started programming (but as you said , once you start getting used to the pattern you start getting comfortable , i think in same way our elders should be taught this might make them more comfortable with tech )

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  4. That is so well written!!! And the intended pun was on point!

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  5. Well explained Razeen! Hope you remember me ? I'm impressed with your crisp and clear language ...no ripples in understanding your technicalingo. Kudos to you and my best wishes for your future endeavours.

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  6. Very well explained........
    Too good

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