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As technology continues to evolve and the baby boomer generation enters their golden years, senior living communities have faced the task of integrating technology into daily life in a way that best meets boomers’ unique needs. Among the most impactful technological advances, the internet revolutionized how we relate to ourselves, connect, and navigate the world.
The internet has become a ubiquitous part of life, even among most seniors. These affectionately titled “silver surfers” are increasingly embracing a digital lifestyle. While older adults are steadily breaking stereotypes and enjoying the benefits of a digitally connected life, however, the Pew Research Center found that as many as one-third of adults over 65 who use the internet are not confident when performing tasks online.
The ability to navigate the internet safely and with confidence is an essential skill at any age, whether you are a digital native or a digital visitor. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common internet pitfalls and how seniors can avoid them to stay safe online.
Avoiding Scams and Fraud
Even before the dawn of the World Wide Web, seniors have long been one of the groups most preyed upon by scammers and fraudsters. With new technologies developing daily, you and your older loved ones must be aware of the latest scams. Scammers are shrewd and convincing, with constantly updated schemes that are intended to catch people off-guard. If you suspect that you or a loved one has been the victim of a scam, don’t feel embarrassed — it can happen to anyone!
The first line of defense against scams is knowing what to watch out for. Some of the most common scams that target seniors fall into four categories: government impersonator scams; fake prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams; computer tech support scams; and grandparent scams. As a rule of thumb, unusual messages that claim to be from an official source or relative or offers that appear to be too good to be true are typically signs of a scam.
In addition to these common scams, 2024 has seen a dramatic rise in the use of artificial intelligence or “AI”. Bad actors can use certain AI features, like “deepfakes” (videos, sounds, or images of real people that have been digitally altered to convincingly misrepresent them), to trick people into sending their money or information to these cybercriminals. While deepfake scams involving everyday people are not necessarily common yet, malicious uses of AI technology are unfortunately on the rise and important to be mindful of as the availability of AI tools grows.
Older adults and their loved ones can take steps to stay protected from common scams. Do not give out sensitive personal information (such as your Social Security number, PINs, passwords, bank account information, and credit card numbers) over the phone or in response to a text message, email, or social media post. Do not transfer money over the phone or to strangers and check incoming bills for charges you don’t recognize.
If you are feeling pressured or threatened to act immediately, someone might be trying to scam you. Take a deep breath, slow down, and think critically about what the person is saying. If you think it might be a scam, end the conversation, and talk to someone you trust about it. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible to keep your electronic accounts safe and keep the security software on your computer and smartphone up to date.
Disinformation, Misinformation, and Conspiracy Theories
During the 2024 election season, 80% of voters refused to engage in polite conversation with someone because they had a different political opinion. Sounds accurate, doesn't it? It shouldn't. This statistic was fabricated.
One common online pitfall involves falling victim to statements that sound correct but are not, especially if these statements reinforce prior or popular beliefs. Misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories can spread quickly and easily on the internet. Medical misinformation in particular can be an issue for seniors trying to minimize the risk of medical mishaps.
As members of the generation who grew up before the digital age, seniors may be at higher risk of believing and sharing false (and sometimes dangerous) information, as they may not have the tools to properly navigate how to distinguish fact from fiction on the internet. Students of all ages can be duped, even “digital natives,” but younger generations generally have the advantage of formal education in media literacy.
While disinformation and misinformation are both a problem, they are not the same thing. Disinformation is false information intentionally created to mislead people. Misinformation is, simply, any false information. Conspiracy theories, such as the belief that the moon landing was a hoax, can seem funny or innocuous from a distance due to their often-outlandish nature. However, if drawn in, seniors can be led down troublesome, anxiety-inducing rabbit holes and pipelines.
Resources, such as trustworthy online sources and internet safety classes, can help older adults and their loved ones sift through information and misinformation. When scrolling online, think before you share. Pause and take a moment to seek out the facts, especially when the information is about a quick-moving situation or a controversial topic.
Check that sources are up to date with high-quality photos or videos. In a world of misleading headlines, manipulated images, and missing context, taking that extra minute to scrutinize what you are seeing makes a big difference. Ask questions about the source of the information. Here’s a handy question checklist to get you started:
- What is the motivation or purpose of the website? Was it created for educational purposes, or is it trying to sell a product or service?
- Who owns or sponsors the website? Are they a reputable source? What biases might they have?
- When was the information written? Is it up to date?
- If there are pictures or videos, what is the context and history of what is being shown? Is there anything that might be missing or left out?
Perhaps most importantly, remember to seek out a variety of sources, including talking to your family, friends, and neighbors about what you see online. Social media, and the internet more broadly, can become an echo chamber as algorithms silo us into groups of like-minded communities. The more diversity you can manage in your news intake, the better!
The Bottom Line
The internet is an invaluable tool for senior citizens in an increasingly digitalized world. Seniors can use it to stay connected with loved ones, seek out new hobbies, develop healthy habits, and more. But every tool must be used safely. By practicing some basic internet safety skills, older adults can avoid online scams, misinformation, and other harmful pitfalls and learn how to confidently surf the World Wide Web.
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