The OG Influencers: Grandparents are the ultimate life hackers according to research from Three  

• New research from Three reveals that 84% of young people see their grandparents as a vital source of knowledge
• Mobile phones are helping bridge generations, with 79% of the younger generation saying apps and devices make it easier to stay connected with older relatives
• For older people who aren’t yet confident with digital technology, Three Discovery provides free training to help them build skills and stay connected

Ahead of Silver Sunday, a national day to celebrate older people, falling this weekend on 5 October, new research finds that grandparents are a vital source of advice for younger generations, with mobile connectivity making it easier than ever to share knowledge across ages.

Research from Three, based on a survey of 1,000 adults, found that 84% of younger people consider their grandparents a key resource for knowledge, relying on them multiple times a week for advice on everything from cooking to careers.

With more than half of young people [52%] learning recipes from their grandparents and 44% turning to them for treasured family dishes, cooking remains the most common skill passed down by older relatives. Gardening is also popular, with 42% of respondents seeking advice on growing food and plants. Meanwhile a quarter [24%] have asked for DIY help.

Beyond practical skills, grandparents are seen as a great source of life advice, with almost a third [30%] seeking guidance on friendships and relationships.

Far from being left behind by technology, the older generation are increasingly using their mobile phones to share their wisdom, as 79% of respondents said mobiles and apps have made it easier to stay in touch with grandparents.

More than half [51%] of young people now call their grandparents on their mobiles, while just as many use family WhatsApp groups and digital photo albums to share advice and stay in touch.

The knowledge exchange goes both ways, with many grandparents continuing to turn to younger relatives for digital support.

A spokesperson for Three said: “Grandparents are the original influencers, providing advice on everything from jobs to romantic relationships or even what to cook for dinner. Thanks to digital connectivity, families are more connected than ever and their advice is just a call or a message away.”

Bridging the digital divide

To celebrate Silver Sunday, Three is spotlighting its Discovery programme, which offers free digital skills training to help older people feel confident using their devices, from joining WhatsApp groups and making video calls to staying safe online. In addition to its Discovery outreach programme, Three offers free in-store training sessions which are available nationwide, giving people of all ages the skills to get more from their devices.

Individuals that have benefited from the Three Discovery sessions include:

• Rod Greygoose, 76, from Marlow, Buckinghamshire was told about the Three Discovery sessions by his daughter, Victoria. He helped to arrange for members of his local University of the Third Age (u3a) group to attend a series of courses to familiarise them with how to get more from their phones. More than 70 members of the group have now joined the classes, learning about fraud protection tips, as well as staying connected through WhatsApp and other social media apps. Rod now frequently uses his phone to stay in touch with family and friends, pass on advice and get tips from Google and YouTube.
• Kaye Da Silva, 82, from London was worried he would never grasp how to use a smartphone when he first got one over 10 years ago as he’d seen friends struggle with their own devices. However, after attending Three Discovery sessions, his phone has since become an indispensable part of his everyday life, using it to make calls through WhatsApp, access online banking and buy products through Apple Pay. He says it has changed his life, helping him to stay connected and be more efficient in his everyday life.

The Three spokesperson, said: “We’re proud to support the older generation at every stage of their technological journeys, whether that be through our esteemed Discovery deep-dives, or through our free in-store training sessions. Mobile phones are essential companions to modern-day life. By helping these individuals to get more from their devices, we are preserving their independence, while allowing them to keep in touch with loved ones.”

Rod Greygoose, 76, said: “So many of our u3a members were struggling to get the most from their gadgets, only using their tablets and phones for the most basic purposes. The Discovery sessions have opened up a world of possibilities for them, offering advice on everything from contacting their families to navigating while driving. It’s incredible the extra connection, safety and independence that your mobile can give you. Everyone my age should make the most of these sessions to understand the opportunities, stay in touch with the world and enable us to share our knowledge.”

Kaye Da Silva, 82, said: “Three’s Discovery sessions have changed my life. I was once afraid of my phone, but now I would be lost without it. I depend on it for everyday activities, such as banking and payments, and it has helped me to stay connected with people around the world. There is still so much more for me to learn, but I’d encourage everyone my age to embrace the technology and persist with trying to understand their phone as it can bring huge benefits.”