When it comes to navigating social media, manipulating my computer or the use of iPhone apps, I typically rely on my youngest daughter. It’s not that hubby or my other children don’t know how to navigate or interact with the technology. It’s just that my youngest is more sympathetic to the needs of her aging mom.

I didn’t grow up in a culture of computers and cell phones, and not that I am an old dog who can’t learn new tricks, I can. It just doesn’t come easily.

While it did take some time to learn how to use Facebook, I finally got the hang of it. But my scrolling is not at the level of the younger generation. I stand amazed at how they can stalk out folks and glean information — public information since it’s one their Facebook page. It’s just downright incredible.

As for my laptop, hubby has helped me on several occasions, namely the times I accidentally deleted a story I had written for The Post. Somehow, he was magically able to retrieve my work from the World Wide Web. 

But when hubby is not available (at home where he can physically fix it), I rely on my youngest. I will call her up and explain what is going on. She initially tries to talk me through the steps of what I need to do, but often she resorts to Facetiming me. Not so she can look at me, but so she can look at my screen, and more descriptively point me in the necessary direction for whatever it is I am needing instruction.

This technique — Facetiming — usually helps and it is why the others in the family don’t particularly want to assist me in my time of need. It can be laborious for the teacher.

Learning how to use iPhone apps has also been challenging. I do have the utility apps pretty much down pat, like the calculator and voice memos. The calculator is essential when you want to know how much an item is going to cost that has been marked down from its original price. And fortunately, I still remember how to multiply fractions. Therefore, when I am standing in the dressing room trying to determine how much something is going to cost, I just pull out my cell phone, go to the calculator, type in the original price, multiply that number by whatever the markdown is, subtract that from the original price and voila! I know how much something costs without even having to ask the sales clerk. As for voice memos, I use it all the time for work.  While I still take notes when I interview, I don’t do shorthand, so recording is absolutely imperative for me to get accurate quotes. I have also learned how to use Venmo, but because I don’t use it often, it can take upwards of 15 minutes or so for me to remember how to send or receive money.

The most recent app that I have been utilizing is Instagram. Y’all, I am hooked. Not only are there folks giving all kinds of tips and tricks on cleaning, cooking, and gardening, but they also show me how to look more pulled together by wearing certain clothing pieces. There is decorating advice, skin care suggestions, and on and on and on. I have had so much fun on Instagram, I am even trying to teach my mom how to use it.  Yep, that’s right. I get to be the teacher this go round.

Terri Cowart Frazier writes features for The Vicksburg Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.