Is teaching people over 65 to use computers the best way to spend government money?

Computer education is seen as a necessary education nowadays. Young or old, everyone is benefitted from knowing about computers and how to use them. Though some feel spending government resources and finances on increasing computer literacy in people above 65 years is a good option, others think this a wastage of precious funds.

I believe aged people need computer education as much as younger people, so it is fair to direct some funds towards imparting basic technical knowledge to these people.

First, computer and the internet helps people connect. Aged people need support, for which they need better connectivity with others. The internet and computer can help them stay in contact with their friends and family members with a click of a button. Computer-aided technologies can help track senior citizens, which can help in enhancing their security. It is difficult for old ones to go out to carry on day-to-day activities like purchasing groceries, paying electricity and water bills, or going to banks to make transactions. Fundamental knowledge of computers helps do these activities from the comfort of one’s home.

In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, the computer can help senior citizens earn some funds for themselves sitting at their homes. Some ways to obtain money are trading, selling items online, etc. Moreover, the computer can keep old people positively busy and also help them explore some hobbies or interests like cooking or painting. These factors enable our senior citizens to move neck on neck with young people.

Given the above arguments, our senior citizens must have at least basic computer operating skills. So, governments must run programs to teach aged people. However, any amount of advanced computer education should be availed at one’s own expense.