Advice on getting the older generation Online ?

[Steam_Giant]

My dear nan (who is 86) has expressed an interest in having a computer. I don't think she has any idea what she would do with it, but as she is deaf I think it would be useful for emails etc.

So I have decided to get her an old desktop computer with outlook and IE and try and teach her some basics. She lives quite far away from me, my sister and I visit once a month, so I wont be able to pop in to fix any problems quickly. I'm trying to think of the safest way to introduce her to the online world. Perhaps using parental locks? I intend to block incoming email except from family addresses, so I dont have to worry about email scams.

Please post your suggestions or any advice !

Cheers

[Bombot]

Have you already bought the computer?

If you have, change the browser. Security is a real concern for someone who doesn't really know what they are doing.

[Bloodknight]

Use a browser with a good adblocker.

Perhaps using parental locks?

Probably a good idea, even if a bit condescending ^^. But of course, old people are more prone to getting scammed.

Take a day and show her websites that she might be interested in (asking her, of course), and create a good list of bookmarks using those (like cooking recipe site, netdoctor, news, wikipedia etc) so she doesn't have to enter anything most of the time. In my experience, old people do the same stuff on the web every day, they don't surf that much and get to the creepy part of the internet.

[Steam_Giant]

Will probably be getting a second hand desktop computer, Which browser would you recommend Bombot ? (I use Chrome)

Ahh the creepy part of the internet

Thanks for the suggestions, I think creating her a list of bookmarks is a great idea, perhaps letting her loose on my own laptop showing her some basics might be the best way to start.

[Bombot]

I use Chrome too (iPad excepted). It has a nice simple UI, which is what you want.

The reason I ask if you've already bought the computer is I would give serious consideration to a tablet. It'll do the job you want. If the cost isn't prohibitively more than a second hand desktop + monitor, it might just be worth showing your nan one in a shop.

[Glen_Savet]

Truthfully, IE is the most secure of web browsers these days. Just make sure there is no Flash installed.

[machine_recovered_meat]

Truthfully, IE is the most secure of web browsers these days.

It's really not.

You'd probably be better off getting her set up with a gmail account rather than an email client - it's just simpler.

I'd heartily second the tablet suggestion - they are perfect for casual browsing and email.

[Grimmeth]

It's really not.

You'd probably be better off getting her set up with a gmail account rather than an email client - it's just simpler.

I'd heartily second the tablet suggestion - they are perfect for casual browsing and email.

Seconded, IE is not good for security in any way, shape, or form compared to other major browsers.

The Tablet suggestion is a good one, as long as she has no disability issues that could cause problems with the smaller display and 'keyboard'?

[Steam_Giant]

I absolutely agree on the gmail account idea. I am considering a tablet for myself, and would pass on an old desktop or laptop to my nan. Maybe in the future she can have an upgrade.