1) How often do you use a computer and for what purpose?

I use a computer every day, mostly for my work. I’m a copywriter so my job involves
a lot of word processing. In my leisure time, I love to connect with my friends and
family back home on social media.

2) Have you ever taken a course to improve your computer skills?

I’ve never taken a proper course like at a college but did once pay someone to teach
me how to use some specific software I needed for my business. Mostly, I’ve learnt
by trial and error and watching YouTube videos. I’m no computer buff but I can do
everything I need to.

3) Which device do you prefer to use for browsing the internet?

I’d sooner use my laptop to surf the internet as you can see so much more on the
large screen than on a smaller device. If my laptop is switch off I tend to browse on
my iPad to saving booting up the computer.

4) Do you enjoy using the internet?

I find it exciting using the internet because I love to learn new things. These days
you can find out almost anything online so computers have been a real game
changer for people like me who enjoy discovering new information.

5) What sorts of things do you buy online?

The items I buy most often online are books, sometimes e-books that I read on my
Kindle. I also browse the internet when I need a new gadget to help me develop
my website, such as the microphone I bought the other day.

Describe an item of technology you have that is very important.

You should say:

and say how different your daily life would be without it.

I have several electronic devices that I use on a daily basis but the one I’m going
to describe is my mobile phone.

I’m never the quickest to adopt new technology and all my friends had them long
before I did. I eventually bought one back in 1999 after my dad had a stroke and
was rushed into hospital. I needed to be in constant contact with my family during
this difficult time so I had to join them in owning a mobile.

I now have an iPhone and keep it with me at all times in case of emergencies but
mainly use it for texting and keeping in touch with my rowing club friends via
WhatsApp. The phone is so high tech that, not being a techie, I only understand
and use a few of the functions. It’s incredible what it can do though, and every now
and then I discover something new about it. In fact, this happened just the other day
when I was out walking my dog.

I often get ideas for my work when I’m out and about and usually carry a notebook
and pen to jot them down before I forget them. If I forget to take the notebook, I type
short notes on my iPhone to remind me of my thoughts. Then last week, I notice a
microphone icon and thought I’d try recording my ideas to play back later.

When I tried this, I found that my mobile actually types out the words as I say them. I
was amazed and over the moon as I’d discovered a quicker and easier way to make
notes. It saves me lots of time and means that I never lose a good idea. I can record
as I’m walking along rather than having to stop and write things down, so my dog’s
happier too as he used to get fed up with me stopping all the time.

It’s quite incredible the advances in technology since I bought that first mobile all
those years ago. Back then you could just make calls and send texts. Having started
as a reluctant user, I now consider my mobile an indispensable part of my life and
wouldn’t be without it. My life wouldn’t actually be very different if I didn’t have it as
I’m not addicted to the internet or social media like many people. However, I do
feel a sense of security having one and it also gives me peace of mind knowing that
any of my family can contact me if they have a problem.
1) Do you think most electronic devices are user-friendly?

For the most part, I’d say that they are once you’ve learnt how to use them. The
problem for me is always getting started. I’m a bit of a technophobe and don’t find it
easy to understand new technology. You rarely get a written instruction manual
with a new device and the help is generally online. You often have to really search
for what you need.

Also, technology advances so quickly that as soon as you’ve mastered the device,
the software is upgraded and you have to learn new stuff to be able to use it.

I really envy young people today as they are natural techies. They seem to know
how to operate electronic devices without even being shown. I certainly think that
many people of the older generation would say that modern electronic gadgets are
not user-friendly.

2) Do you think parents should control what internet sites their teenagers
use?

Internet safety is a huge concern for parents these days. Computers and
the internet have so many benefits for young people, for their education and for
staying connected with friends and family, but there are some unpleasant
people online who target children on social media and trick them into building
harmful relationships.

Teenagers are particularly vulnerable because they have a lot of freedom as to who
they connect with and they can be too trusting. Most own mobile devices so can go
online when they’re away from home and their parents can’t see
what websites or social media platforms they’re browsing. Many youngsters are
pressured into posting pictures of themselves naked or lured into sexual
relationships, which is just awful.

I do think that parents should monitor what internet sites their teenagers use,
although this is difficult because of this freedom their kids have and how easy it is to
get online. On laptops and PCs there are settings for limiting access to parts of
the internet, which parents should activate. I’m not sure if you can do this on
mobile devices.

Perhaps the best things parents can do is to discuss internet safety with their
children and make them aware of the dangers they could face online.
3) Could you suggest reasons why some people are deciding to reduce their
use of technology?

Many people’s whole lives are controlled by technology, especially the internet.
With so many different devices available and the number of wifi
hotspots increasing all the time, people can surf the internet anytime they want to.
It’s easy to waste hours browsing or posting trivia on social media. This is often for
no real purpose but simply because people are addicted to it. Everywhere you go
you see people tapping away on their mobile phones rather than engaging with the
people around them.

I think some people realise that they’re slaves to technology and have made a
conscious decision to cut down on their use of the internet and their mobiles in
particular. It’s hard to relax with emails, social media posts and texts pinging at you
all the time. There’s more understanding these days of mindfulness and the need to
regularly step back from our frantic, stressful lives. Reducing the use of
our electronic devices can certainly help a great deal with this and I believe this is
many people’s motivation for doing so.