Help is available for Seniors and their tech gifts

With the Internet and technology more affordable and accessible than ever, if you're not on it, then you are missing out.

And with Christmas just around the corner, some seniors might receive high-tech gifts such as tablets, smartphones or computers.

Although using the Internet may seem like a daunting task for some seniors, help is available at various libraries and through continuing education classes around the Coast.

Heather Dungey, a technology instructor with the Hancock County Library System, said seniors make up a large portion of her students.

"The majority of people who take any of our computer classes are seniors," she said. "A lot of people are saying that they need to get on Facebook so they can see the pictures of the grandchildren, but it's not just social media -- seniors are interested in email, spreadsheets, pretty much everything."

You can't break the Internet

Dungey said one of the first thing she teaches her senior students is they can't break the Internet.

"We still see with our total novices the leftover apprehension that if they click the wrong thing, they are going to break the whole thing," she said. "But you can always undo something these days. Don't be afraid of it."

According to a Pew Research Center study, more than half of people age 65 and older use the Internet and email and one in three seniors uses social networking sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn.

"We teach a class on how to use social media," Dungey said. "People are really concerned about the security aspects of using social media and what type of information they are putting out there."

Clicking the mouse

Jeff Conwill also teaches computer classes for seniors at the Orange Grove Library in Gulfport.

He said clicking the mouse is something many people take for granted.

"I see a lot of students that have trouble double-clicking the mouse," he said. "I teach a class on how to use the keyboard for shortcuts. If you can't double-click because your hand is shaking, I can teach you other methods that are easier.

Conwill said passwords are another area that can be frustrating for seniors.

"Some people tell you not to write your passwords down, but definitely write your passwords down and keep them somewhere safe," he said.

Tablet and smartphone era

Another Pew Research Center study showed more seniors are using smartphones than in past years as 77 percent of people surveyed older than 65 said they have and use cell phones.

Apple iPad and Android tablets are also becoming more popular with seniors.

Earlier this year, Apple and IBM announced they would be developing iPads with apps designed specifically for seniors.

The project will launch in Japan before coming to the U.S., CNN said.

Dungey said iPads and tablets are becoming increasingly popular as a Christmas gifts for seniors.

"We teach classes for both iPad and iPhones, and Android users," she said. "We do one usually in January because of the amount of people that are getting them as Christmas gifts. We see a lot of new gadget owners at the beginning of the year."

The convenience factor is one reason Dungey believes iPad popularity is increasing.

"You can do just about anything on an iPad that you can do on a computer," she said. "The price point is lower and you can carry it around. It's much less intimidating than a computer."

Upcoming classes

Both Dungey and Conwill said they have not finalized the computer class schedules for next year.

Conwill said the Orange Grove classes are limited to 10 students and registrations close one week before the classes start.

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Help is available for Seniors and their tech gifts ."