Digital habits across generations
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Preparation
Today's grandparents are joining their grandchildren on social media, but the different generations' online habits couldn't be more different. In the UK the over-55s are joining Facebook in increasing numbers, meaning that they will soon be the site's second biggest user group, with 3.5 million users aged 55–64 and 2.9 million over-65s.
Sheila, aged 59, says, 'I joined to see what my grandchildren are doing, as my daughter posts videos and photos of them. It's a much better way to see what they're doing than waiting for letters and photos in the post. That's how we did it when I was a child, but I think I'm lucky I get to see so much more of their lives than my grandparents did.'
Ironically, Sheila's grandchildren are less likely to use Facebook themselves. Children under 17 in the UK are leaving the site – only 2.2 million users are under 17 – but they're not going far from their smartphones. Chloe, aged 15, even sleeps with her phone. 'It's my alarm clock so I have to,' she says. 'I look at it before I go to sleep and as soon as I wake up.'
Unlike her grandmother's generation, Chloe's age group is spending so much time on their phones at home that they are missing out on spending time with their friends in real life. Sheila, on the other hand, has made contact with old friends from school she hasn't heard from in forty years. 'We use Facebook to arrange to meet all over the country,' she says. 'It's changed my social life completely.'
Teenagers might have their parents to thank for their smartphone and social media addiction as their parents were the early adopters of the smartphone. Peter, 38 and father of two teenagers, reports that he used to be on his phone or laptop constantly. 'I was always connected and I felt like I was always working,' he says. 'How could I tell my kids to get off their phones if I was always in front of a screen myself?' So, in the evenings and at weekends, he takes his SIM card out of his smartphone and puts it into an old-style mobile phone that can only make calls and send text messages. 'I'm not completely cut off from the world in case of emergencies, but the important thing is I'm setting a better example to my kids and spending more quality time with them.'
Is it only a matter of time until the generation above and below Peter catches up with the new trend for a less digital life?
I think my parent use their phones the most in my family. They are over 45, but they are quite addicted to using their mobile phones. They often watch TikTok videos and communicate with their old friends through social media.Sometimes, using their phones helps them feel less lonely because they can stay connected with their friends and family. However, they sometimes spend too much time looking at the screen, which can cause eye strain and headaches.I think using a phone has many advantages if we use it properly. For example, we can search for information, communicate with other people, and learn new things that we don’t know about.Overall, mobile phones are very useful, but we should try to use them in moderation.
I agree with this idea. I’m 26, but I’m like Chloe, who always keeps her phone by her bed. I have to listen to some music or audiobooks when I go to sleep. I can’t imagine going a whole day without my phone.
In the recent day, among generations use of internet, I see, each one has a specific addiction for websites and apps. As a parent generation, most of my age's people and friends are using Instagram, younger one or teenagers go with Tiktok, and the elder are addicting YouTube's videos and Facebook. So, we have difference kind of users around the world with little amount of individuals without accessing for the internet. However, social life in the past was simple, easy, and more connected, in contrast with modern life which is complicated and each one has own world. On other hands, that doesn't mean the internet is disadvantage, it changes the life to better. People can browse easier and they reach for information and news in a second. In sum up, digital life is useful for some people and negative for others, it depends on the users.
Among my family and friends, my boyfriend is the only one who uses phone every single day. I am totally different from him, for example, on weekends I turn off my cellphone. I think it is a momento to relax and thing about my mental health.
My Father as well as my younger Brother. Am trying to build a good habits for them to move the addiction that kills their time. Also trying to get the old technology same as Peter did that will make our Social life better.
Because her grandchildren are busy with their mobile and she has no other option but to join the social media.
I agree with this text because my mother, who is 67, spends her days on Facebook and watching YouTube videos. Since she spends a lot of time alone, social media helps her pass the time.
I agree that many people have a social media addiction. I think it's one of the biggest problems today. Our society needs to solve this problem without losing our freedom on the internet.
In my opinion smartphone and social media addiction is really a big problem in nowdays life.
As society we need to be mindful about our collective addiction on social medias and mobile phones.