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Courtesy howtostartablogonline.net via Flickr
Technology literacy is lacking in the U.S., here’s the direction that technology is going in and how to use it safely
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Aniya Faulcon
Courtesy howtostartablogonline.net via Flickr
computer illustration
Airdate: November 01, 2022
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According to Pew Research Center, 77% of seniors report that they would require assistance when trying to learn how to use a smartphone or tablet. Additionally, of those who are already on the internet but do not use social networking sites, 56% percent say they would need help to connect with friends and family.
The Pew Research Center also found that American’s digital literacy is lacking, with only 40 percent of adults answering questions about technology correctly.
Dr. Bruce Young, Director of the Cybersecurity Graduate Program at Harrisburg University, joined us on Tuesday for The Spark to discuss the direction of technology and provide tips for staying safe online.
Young said, technology is advancing much faster than humans are able to adapt; with advancements in technology like artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and quantum computing. He said, these advances were created to make things convenient and simple but yet the technology is more complex.
As technology becomes more complex its important to know how to keep your devices safe. Here are some of the online saftey tips that Young offered:
- Take advantage of services offered to help learn technology
- Be aware of common scams that are occurring
- Understand the use of technology and change your mindset to think like a security professional
- Encrypt your cell phone and put a passcode on it
- Use malware protection or antivirus protection
- Make sure your device has the latest updates
- Use apps from trusted sources
- Use VPN applications for protection
