How old were you when you got your first smartphone? Today, smartphone adoption is higher than ever before.
According to the AARP, smartphone adoption is at 86% among Americans 50 to 59. The numbers drop, but even those who are 70 years old or older are at a 62% usage rate.
With so many people using smartphones, it’s important to find easy-to-use smartphones for all users. But what are the best phones for seniors, and how can you ensure privacy?
Getting the assistance you need is important, and we’re happy to help. Read on for more information on how to ensure privacy on user-friendly devices.
Set a PIN
One of the first things that you should do for the senior is to set a PIN. A PIN is like a password – they work the same on a phone as they do for your debit card, for example. According to the Federal Trade Commission, about 60% of passwords are cracked or guessed.
For your phone, a PIN is a must-have. On most phones, they’re a four-digit password that you can set.
It’s important to avoid PINs that are easy to guess. A common PIN is one that matches an important year in the senior’s life. Their birth year, when they were married, or anything else that may be an important date.
While this is a good idea on its surface, it isn’t very secure. That’s because so many people do it that important dates are often the first thing that someone may guess.
Set a PIN that you can remember but not one that is easily guessed. That way, you have less of a threat from others taking your phone.
More Complex PINs
One way to do this is by changing your privacy settings to allow more complex PINs. You can change your settings to shift what rules you need to follow when making a PIN.
For example, the iPhone allows you to change your PIN to be more than four numbers. That makes it so you can put a much longer series of numbers in, which is more secure. The more numbers, the harder it is for someone to guess.
Many smartphones also allow you to use letters instead of numbers. That way, you can make a password that’s significantly more secure. Just do your best not to make a password so secure that you can’t remember it.
Facial Recognition
Not a fan of typing in passwords and pins? One of the other security and privacy options you can activate is facial recognition. This is available even in the more affordable senior phones, as it’s become standard across the industry.
Facial recognition scans your face to serve as a password. Your phone can then use this to let you into your phone. Since no one else has your face, it’s a remarkably secure way to lock your phone.
Many applications also use facial recognition to allow you to sign in. Banking applications and social media are some examples. These settings help you assure your privacy no matter what you’re using your phone for.
Fingerprint Recognition
If you don’t want to scan your face, you may feel more comfortable scanning your fingers. Easy-to-use smartphones often incorporate a way to scan your fingerprint.
These settings work the same way as your facial recognition. Your phone will scan your fingerprint to serve as a password. As before, many applications also use this method.
You’ll need to do some setup by scanning your fingertips. It’s best to use your thumb or your pointer finger. Still, you can use any finger you want if you have a strong preference.
Work to Simplify the Phone
Another great thing you can do to make senior technology more usable is to simplify the phone. The best phones for seniors aren’t full of useless features that serve to confuse the senior. That way, they can enjoy their favorite activities without a hassle.
Did you know that overly complicated phones can prove to be a privacy issue? A phone that’s overly complex is easy for a senior to accidentally overshare. They may struggle to see what’s reputable, what they should or shouldn’t install, and more.
Take some time to go through phones for the elderly and remove unnecessary features. These features may include:
- Multiple weather applications
- Social media applications that aren’t in use
- Multiple messaging applications
Having too many applications like this can lead to oversharing of information. These difficulties can pose a huge privacy threat for seniors.
Caution Against Public Wi-Fi
One of the biggest things to caution a senior against is the use of public wi-fi. Many businesses will offer internet, but that doesn’t mean that it’s the safest connection for you to follow.
According to the San Diego State University, public networks are not secure. Since anyone can access them, people with the know-how can get your information from the public site.
If you use public access, make sure you don’t put anything sensitive. Personal information like credit card numbers or social security numbers are easily taken in this way.
Know Where to Download Apps
Did you know that there are multiple app stores? Seniors need to know which is the official store.
Downloading unofficial applications can lead to malware or untrustworthy applications. You should do your best to make sure the senior only downloads from official stores.
Remove any unofficial stores from the phone so they’re less likely to use them. Also, teach the senior how to navigate to the application store for official use. That way, they do not need third-party app stores.
Finding the Best Phones for Seniors
Mastering the best phones for seniors means understanding which settings you can comfortably change for privacy. Avoid public wi-fi and third-party application stores while also uncluttering phones to remove unnecessary risks. Always use a password that you can remember for maximum security.
At Sabine Place Assisted Living, we offer a welcoming and nurturing environment for seniors seeking assisted living options. Our focus is on personalized care to ensure that our residents receive the attention they need and that they balance their needs with their independence. Contact us today to see how we can help you make the most of your golden years.
