Why you can’t let technology slip away from you
Matt Danswan

I have a 17 month old, and by 5 am, she is wide awake. Literally, for 17 months, except for when I have been away, I have been wide awake at 5 am, taking her downstairs so her mother can get some much-needed rest after still being up with her during the night.

My survival tactic for being up so early morning after morning is coffee. I know I should be really spiritual here and say prayer, but that first cup of coffee for the day really hits the spot…

Just last Sunday morning I was drinking my morning coffee while scanning the morning news when an Instagram post came in stating that I had a new follower.That is no big deal to anyone – except that the new follower was 90 years-old. Yes, a 90 year-old guy from our church Carl, is on Instagram! What?

I couldn’t believe it. I have only been on Instagram for one year. For those who are not on this social media platform, Facebook is apparently for the “oldies” now, and all the hip young people are on Instagram. I won’t call it a mid-life crisis, but I joined “Insta” to ensure I was still – in my eyes – pretty cool.

So to see a 90 year-old on there, I was super impressed. However, it made me realize how important it is to stay abreast of technology as you age. Everything is done online these days. It’s not essential just yet, but it will be soon to be able to book your own flights, manage all of your money and/or investments, and basically manage your life online. Even being able to sign up for online shopping and then place a basic order for a book or item of clothing is now essential.

My Dad, who passed away two years ago, wouldn’t go online. He kept telling us that he thought computers were bugged and Big Brother was watching our every move. I used to tell him that he might be right, but if you’re an ethical person and you’re not laundering money, or tying to get involved in any white-collar crime, nor surfing to sites that you shouldn’t be viewing, then you have nothing to worry about. Even if someone is watching, then we cannot do anything about it.

Some even say TVs are bugged with a camera so they can see inside our house. In fact this article here is proof of bugging courtesy of Google Home.

Technology is moving so fast that it really can get away from us very quickly. Don’t let it. You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need to be able to set up a gmail account, book a flight or accommodation, login to your banking and make payments, and generally be able to manage the internet. Especially if you’re still needing employment. You have to have good computing skills in a business world that is now so digitally inclined.

So get online and use the internet to your advantage.

Matt Danswan is the CEO of Initiate Media, publishers of My Christian Daily. He also blogs at www.mattdanswan.com. His new book NOT Business As Usual documents the story of the building of Initiate Media debt-free.

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