Looking into some practical research^ funded by Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), in partnership with RMIT’s School of Business and Law/School of Economics, Finance and Marketing and The University of the Third Age, they determined there were 6 risk factors affecting older adults:
1. Operational and functional risk
Forgetting instructions or passwords, struggling to keep up or feeling that technology wastes time.
2. Personal and social risk
Feeling incompetent, overwhelmed or frustrated, or worrying about being judged or ridiculed.
3. Privacy and transaction risk
Concerns about online payments, privacy, identity theft and automatic transactions.
4. Purchase transaction risk
Fear of making mistakes, not receiving goods or encountering processing errors.
5. Overspending risk
Concerns about spending too much online or escalating software, upgrade and device costs.
6. Physical harm risk
Concerns including physical inactivity, technology dependence, eyesight and strain injuries.
A BigPurplePhone may be the Solution to many of these!
In regard to the first 2 risks described, the BigPurplePhone helps keep things simple for its user. We’ve reduced the number of menus and features shown on the Home screen, completely eliminating the need to swipe left, right, up or down. They can call or message their family and friends with a couple of taps. Plus, including pictures of family and friends in their Contacts List makes calling and messaging more intuitive.
Risks 3 through 5 are eliminated by several features embodied in the BigPurplePhone, starting with the (optional) Safe Callers List. No calls or messages are allowed from numbers not in the Safe Callers List so scammers, spammers, telemarketers and the like are excluded.
The BigPurplePhone Talk&Text Edition prevents access to the internet and has no provision for any apps – no banking, no online shopping, nothing to suck money out through online subscriptions.
Although the BigPurplePhone SilverFox and SilverFox Editions do allow restricted access to the internet, the range of sites able to be reached is limited. The user is safe from security threats, ads, pop ups, sneaky apps and trackers. The embedded browser does not allow the user to upload or download files, open aps from links on websites or share links. Similarly, the apps that can be chosen from our dedicated App Store are carefully vetted and managed by our technical team.
Finally, the risk of physical harm is reduced by all BigPurplePhones having extra-large buttons, a high-contrast screen, loud audio and picture-based contacts, so navigation is easy. The dial pad numbers pop out and a slight haptic pulse buzzes when a button is pressed. Tap the microphone symbol in the Message screen, speak your message and it will automatically be typed for you to edit and send.
On the BigPurplePhone SilverFox and SilverFox Editions, an Accessibility button allows access to more customisation to assist users with limited vision:
- Change the way third party apps look
- Large buttons and text
- Extra-large home screen and contact icons ideal for low vision
- Enable Text to Speak and Talkback for impaired vision
- High Contrast dial screen AA Accessibility rated (Wc3 Convention)
Several papers# point to links between social isolation, loneliness, depression cognitive decline and other health risks. Hence, providing elders or other people suffering from cognitive decline with a means of conveniently staying in touch with family and friends may reduce associated health impacts. A BigPurplePhone provides a convenient means to call and message others, safely keeping in touch.
If you need more information about the different BigPurplePhones, see
Choose The Best Phone For You on BigPurplePhone
See also Virtual Companions for Seniors: Comforting or Creepy?
References
^ Refer to https://www.shapingconnections.org/perceived-digital-technology-risks
# Depression and cognitive decline links:
https://www.alzheimers.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9995915/