USA - aging text messagers

Seniors Tap Into Texting

The fastest-growing group of cellphone users, older adults are eager to train their thumbs to do more than dial.

Jane Stohlman, 69, stared intently, trying to figure out why in the dickens that tiny envelope kept appearing on her cellphone's screen.

The helpful young man sitting beside her explained. It was a text message, and it was far more useful than one of those old-fashioned voice mails.

"Not at my age," Stohlman informed him. "And who the heck was texting me?"

Stohlman was one of about 50 senior citizens who came to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda yesterday to decode the mysteries of the cellphone. Many had bought the contraptions to be safe, to call home if the car broke down or they were running late. Once they got them, their children and grandchildren started nagging, demanding more and more virtuosity. Now, they are confronting texting. Next, they might take a photo. With a telephone, for heaven's sake.

The session at the mall on how to go beyond making phone calls was organized by the Montgomery County chapter of Oasis, an organization for people 50 and older. The cellphone masters were provided by AT&T.

For wireless companies, senior citizens are a relatively underserved market. About 50 percent of seniors over age 65 own a cellphone, compared with nearly 90 percent of consumers 18 to 29, according to a survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Two percent of seniors own a BlackBerry or other PDA, compared with 17 percent of their younger counterparts. Six percent of seniors have sent a text message, while 75 percent of the younger group are ravenous texters.
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"It's becoming a more acceptable piece of technology for older adults," said Jane Silberman, co-director of the Montgomery County Oasis chapter, which also holds classes that teach members how to use computers and surf the Internet. Yesterday's event had a 72-person waiting list. Cellphones "used to be there just for safety reasons, but it's become a tool they're comfortable with," Silberman said.

Seniors make up the fastest-growing market for companies like AT&T. And they control about half of the disposable income in the country, said Mike Bennett, AT&T's executive director of consumer and government affairs, who helps coordinate such training sessions with senior groups. The Oasis chapter in Hyattsville will hold a similar event in October.

David Perkins of Friendship Heights wanted to know why he got stuck with roaming charges on his bill every time he visited his son in Texas. He also wondered why it had to be so difficult to attach his cellphone to its charger. But he was most bewildered by the text messages his grandchildren keep trying to send him.

"I've told them not to send me any because I have to pay every time I get one," he said. He was pleased to find out that Verizon Wireless, his carrier, offers a $5 plan that will allow him to send and receive about 250 texts a month.

Tobi Esler, 76, of Chevy Chase, wanted to know what a SIM card was and why anyone would want one. Archie Bassett, an AT&T sales representative, explained that a SIM card is a tiny memory-storage card lets you transfer your phone number and address book to another phone. He assured her that her phone already had one.

"Oh . . . cool," she said, still sounding unsure. "So why would anyone not store their contact list on a SIM card?"

Some SIM cards don't let you attach a photo to a name, Bassett said. Some people instead store everything directly on their phone, so pictures pop up when certain people call. Just then, his girlfriend's picture flashed on his own cellphone's screen as she called.

"Why would you want to do that?" Esler teased. "Just in case you forget what she looks like?"

Alas, Esler's phone can't take pictures. She got it about four years ago, when cellphones were still mainly used for, of all things, making phone calls.

"My grandkids call it a toy phone," she said. "They've all got the fancy flip-phones."

Bassett then showed her how to designate her daughter as a contact under "ICE," short for "in case of emergency."

But when he typed the wrong letter, he was one who was stumped. He couldn't find the delete button.

Now it was Esler's turn to show off her cellphone skills. She proudly pointed out the correct button. "It may be old, but it still works fine."

Tap, tap, tapping away in search of the right letters to spell out "Hello" for a text message seemed a bit overwhelming to Stohlman.

It's all about rhythm, she was encouraged by Damon Frazier, also an AT&T sales representative. It just takes practice.

"It's a pain in the neck!" Stohlman said.

Actually, Frazier said, texting can be quite addictive.

"Trust me," Stohlman said. "I have plenty of other things to do."