Computer generation gap.

Most of today's advantaged kids are more computer savvy than most of today's seniors. But computer literacy gaps are equal-opportunity gaps that hit all age and ethnic groups, sometimes with significant consequences. I asked members of a 60+ Computer Club to e-mail me their thoughts about how their computer use was impacting their experience of aging as well as shopping, and whether their use of computers and the Internet created a gap with those who didn't use them. Their comments suggest that computers are making a more significant contribution to the quality and behaviors of aging than many of us realize.

One gerontologist I've met believes that television is the major reason for advances in longevity during the last half century. Not medicine, not better diets, not glasses or red wine, and not exercise but television--because it gives people with nothing to do and no one but themselves to care for something to keep them interested and engaged. If he is right, and TV is what increased our parents' lifespan in the last 50 years, think what computers might do for our lifespan in the next 50 years!

* "Being computer literate keeps you young-it enriches your mind, broadens your horizons, gives you common interests with other computer users, enables you to stay in touch with people you might otherwise not, keeps your hands flexible, increases your vocabulary, networking and communication skills, awakens new interests, etc! Without my computer I'd be missing out on all the above."

* "I definitely see a gap between senior computer and non-computer users. Non-users haven't a clue about the computer world, are afraid of or intimidated by change, and want to do things the way they always have. Computers are an intrusion in their settled lives and seniors have enough to deal with without adding an additional worry."

* "Seniors who are using computers are probably more oriented to continuing learning throughout life, which of itself would tend to keep people 'younger.' Having access to such a broad database (all the knowledge/information available online) can keep people more informed and in touch with what's going on. I do know many bright active seniors who don't use computers but manage to keep up with events and people. Personally, I don't think I could function without computers."

* "Until getting my first computer, my car was the most important 'thing' in my life. Today, if I had to choose between them, I'd choose the computer. If I live long enough, I'll have to give up my car. Hopefully, I'll never have to give up my computer."