Shifting Communications In the Age of Corona...
Without any warning, COVID-19 rudely arrived on our global doorsteps in 2020, forcing everyone to #staysafe and #stayhome, and face masks became the new “must have” fashion accessory (but this was certainly NOT by choice). South Africa experienced a swift, strict and total lockdown, resulting in friend and family connections being severed, virtually overnight. In retirement homes and villages around South Africa, this was particularly isolating for the senior citizens who were not as tech-savvy as their offspring may have liked them to have been.
friends - many of which live overseas or in other parts of our beautiful country. WhatsApp is one of the most useful apps, as it allows for video calls on your cell phone - but it does use a fair amount of data. Video calls work best on any digital device when both users have enough data or a good Wi-Fi connection. Facebook is one of the most popular forms of social media for senior citizens, and it is extremely useful for staying in touch with any news from family and friends.
“This unprecedented digital technology wave has resulted in smartphone usage being at an all-time high.”
Zoom is a more complex video conferencing app which can also be used if you’re a little more tech savvy. It needs to be installed on your smartphone or laptop, however it does require some IDs and passwords for users to navigate through. The beauty of Zoom, is that it allows multiple users to video call each other simultaneously.
This unprecedented digital technology wave has resulted in smartphone usage being at an all-time high.
Zoom does need to integrate with a Gmail or other email address, and will take some practice in order to master it.
In 2020, most smartphones come equipped with a variety of useful applications (known as ‘apps’) which allow you to stay in touch with family and
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Source: David R. Walker, Digital Skills Trainer, 082 701 1817.
