Whenever I go home to my parents after a semester of college, I always know one thing is guaranteed: I have to help them resolve quite a few technological issues around the house. My first few days of being home usually involve me doing some sort of photo backup and some easy (to me) fixes on computers, phones, and printers. I don't mind doing this at all, since I've previously worked in IT and probably know a little more about technology than the average person. There is one aspect about this, however, that always bugs me. When I try to talk about technology with my parents, they tend to go on and on about how they don't understand modern technology. Both my parents are pretty good with simple computer use, and I trained them in the art of smartphones, but for them, that's about it. When we discuss things like social media, wireless networks, and the art of texting, they usually give some kind of fearful response, citing the danger they often see in the news. This obviously isn't the case for all adults, but a majority of the ones I know have these same responses.

In a way, I kind of get it. It makes sense that several adults who grew up without technology don't want to learn the new technology at the risk of losing their privacy or getting tricked into some other potentially dangerous scenario. I understand that things like social media and smartphones can be intimidating for people looking from the outside in. Here's the thing though. Technology, no matter how "public" it might seem, isn't that much of an intimidating thing. It's only intimidating if you make it so.

In 2017 America, the generational divide is bigger than ever; there's two groups of people with two completely different visions on how our society should function and develop. Our use of technology is just another arguing point in this divide, but it doesn't have to be that way. When you really think about it, technology, like so many other things, is a learned skill that requires responsibility. Yes, there is some danger involved with technology, but with responsibility, keeping your privacy safe is a relatively easy thing to do. There are plenty of learned skills the older generation knows that require responsibility, such as handling finances, driving, and protecting a place of residence. If adults are okay with these skills that have a little danger involved, what makes technology so different? It's a completely natural phenomenon for people to be wary of things they don't completely understand, so I'm not pointing fingers or even saying anyone is at fault for this wariness, but there is just too many positive things about technology that adults could really benefit from knowing.

There are endless ways adults can use social media to promote things like businesses and events. Adults who know how to use Skype or other video calling systems can chat with their loved ones from around the world. Honestly, I believe that if many people of older generations get on board with technology, they will end up being better at it than the young folks. After all, they've lived longer and can apply their wisdom to several modern day things, and let's face it, Snapchat could become a hub for some quality Dad humor. Technology isn't going away, so let's embrace the positives while learning to accept and make accommodations for the negatives. Let's get more adults on the technology bandwagon!

Side note: I was inspired to write this article after watching a speaker named Gary Vaynerchuk talk about these same ideas. I encourage anyone in need of a motivation boost to watch his videos on YouTube!