In today’s digital age, many first-generation Americans born and raised in the United States find themselves shouldering the responsibility of assisting their immigrant parents and relatives with technological challenges. These young individuals, well-versed in technology and English-speaking environments, often act as administrators for their families, providing translation services and tech support.
CTN’s Josh Chan experienced this himself, which was what initially drew him to CTN’s mission. He says: “I have a relative living in a CTN partner site. I used to help this family member order products, talk to their doctor, and perform other basic tasks online. It was eye-opening because it shows how difficult accessing these services can be for someone who doesn’t know how to use technology.”
Empowering older, immigrant family members through specialized technology training can increase such individuals’ feelings of independence and self-sufficiency as they become equipped with the skills that they need to navigate the digital world. Meanwhile, it can reduce a bit of the administrative burden that typically falls on younger family members.
However, in order to serve immigrant populations, organizations must ensure that their technology classes are culturally and linguistically appropriate. Check out our other article about bringing digital literacy to non-English-speaking populations. If you would like to help older adults in your community gain the confidence to embrace technology, thereby reducing their reliance on younger family members for assistance, learn more about how CTN can help.
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