The Digital Spin

  For this blog, I had such a long and interesting interview with my father, and I tell you, it was an absolute delight. I like to think of my father as a digital media pioneer in the northern part of Nigeria  where I was born. For the context of this writing, my father had graduated from engineering and computer science school in 1979 and returned to a small city in Nigeria to start the very first computer school, and as well as the first color photo lab in that city. He opened the doors of digital media through computer literacy and photography to the people in Northern Nigeria .   Today, my father, who is now 75, and retired, thinks that digital media and services have come a long way. He said, "Digital services have gotten much better over the years, making life easier and more convenient for older people." He also emphasized how important it is to make these services simple and easy to use. "Reducing the number of steps needed to do things can really help," h...

  The adoption of digital media among seniors has been increasing. For instance, in Finland, the use of digital media among people over 70 has been steadily increasing. In 2020, about 51% of Finns aged 75 to 89 used the internet. Among this age group, 19% engaged with social network services, and 30% used the internet several times a day. A growing trend of digital engagement among the elderly, although there is still room for improvement in bridging the digital divide. Many older people struggle with digital literacy or do not have access to the technology, which can leave them feeling isolated. When they cannot use the internet or social media, it can create a sense of being left out of the larger community. It is something I have read about in studies, where seniors experience social exclusion if they are cut off from digital tools. On the other side, those who are digitally connected tend to have better health and well-being. When seniors are able to access health information a...