Concerns of Some Elders About Our Country

Many of my older clients – particularly I am finding that this is true for those in their 80’s – are increasingly concerned about the vitriol and divisiveness in our country. They are educated, informed longtime pillars of their communities and they wonder aloud, what is happening here, how can this be happening?

One of the things that some of them have in common is that they are not decades long users of social media.

None of us are, really, but some of us are more steeped in what can happen behind the scenes in technology that affects what people see online, and therefore start to think. The power of the media has grown as 24/7 one-view cable news channels have come about and proliferated. And, with the increased possibility of “trolling” online in venues such as Twitter and Facebook, and what we know about the increased capability of hackers around the world to invade systems, we are now experiencing a time of mass confusion and frustration.

It can be helpful to understand the gravity of these hacker onslaughts against supposedly secure systems.

One of my clients who is 85 and a former professor at Ivy League schools does not have experience thinking about hackers. As a former techie and internet executive, I clearly remember how intricate the hacking capability was back a few years ago. It has only advanced since then. I also remember how our governmental entities lagged behind in their knowledge and understanding of this phenomenon which left them vulnerable to break ins.

Since social media use is a big element of what is going on in terms of steering public opinion, I have found it’s helpful to some of my older clients that I discuss this with them so that they can understand a little more and get some additional answers to the dilemmas they see in our politics and population.

They are members of what many of us still call “the greatest generation” so it is a responsibility, in my opinion, to help bring them up to speed on some of this, if they are asking and expressing concern.

They also remember terribly dark times of the Great Depression, World War II (some having lived in Europe during Nazi occupation of their countries), the Korean War and more. Their voices of experience and stories need to be heard and valued. And, where possible, some of their perspectives broadened now by explaining some of the ins and outs of technology.

This is intergenerational help and healing. We need all of us now more than ever.