My smartphone and I: Karl's surprising relationship with the cell phone!

My smartphone and I: Karl's surprising relationship with the cell phone!

Dolomitenstadt, Österreich - The correct use of cell phones and smartphones is now part of everyday life, especially for senior citizens. The mini series "My cell phone and I" addresses personal relationships with smartphones and illuminates the experiences of different users. An impressive example is Karl, 86 years old, who reports on his subjective relationship with his smartphone. Like dolomitenstadt.at , Karl describes his first cell phone, a folding cell phone from Nokia that he bought about 15 years ago. Today he uses a Samsung smartphone. For him, the main use consists of the exchange of photos with family and friends as well as calling.

The average screen time of Karl is 24 minutes a day. The smartphone does not matter for him as a pastime, but has a clear practical function. For example, he uses Google Lens to determine plants in his garden. Through his use, he is part of a growing group of older people who use smartphones for everyday tasks. According to a survey by Bitkom, published on August 17, 2023 and available on Statista Smartphone technology on.

The meaning of smartphones in old age

Karl reports that his accessibility is very important to him. Before he puts his cell phone away, he always checks the news and the battery level. He has special times for use: in the morning he only used the cell phone late to read the news in the early morning. In the evening, during his everyday walks in the city, he gives his wife's cell phone, who receives a kind of "carrier wage" in the form of a coffee.

Handy ownership and use are not only individual preferences, but also reflect a trend in society as a whole. A study analyzes the use of Internet and smartphones among older people and shows that many of them regard the Internet as a valuable resource for coping with everyday life. Various factors, such as socio -demographic resources and technical settings, influence the acceptance and use of technology in old age. The perception that the Internet means social exclusion, if you do not use it, also affects the technology acceptance of the older generation. jff emphasizes that the willingness to use new technologies often depends on usefulness factors and easement.

conclusion for smartphone use in old age

Karl is a typical example of the new generation of seniors who actively deal with technology. The increase in the use of cell phones and smartphones in older age groups is becoming increasingly evident. It is important that access to these technologies is facilitated in order to continue to be socially integrated. Digitization not only offers new communication channels, but also opportunities to improve your quality of life. In order to achieve this, supportive social environments and corresponding training offers are essential.