Friendship advice, tips on how to cook a family recipe and gardening are among the top 20 things Gen-Z turns to their grandparents for help with, considering them a ‘key resource’ for a range of topics. More than half say they rely on their grandparents for advice a few times a month or more, turning to them for advice on caring for plants, knitting and making homemade soup.
However, many Gen Z also turn to their grandparents for more significant life advice, such as relationships, and with three quarters of respondents’ grandparents now online, it is easier than ever for young people to get their advice on something.
The study was commissioned by Three and its digital skills training programme, Three Discovery, ahead of Silver Sunday (Oct 5th) – a national day to celebrate over 60s, as it will be hosting free digital training sessions in stores to help older people get more from their smartphones to stay connected.
A spokesperson for the mobile network operator 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.”
The recent poll of 1,000 adults found more than half regularly speak to their grandparents via mobile, whether that’s WhatsApp or FaceTime, with 78 per cent saying technology has helped them stay closer to their grandparents.
Although 80 per cent admitting their grandparents have relied on them for tech support and advice, whether it’s on how to use social media, online banking or making a video call.
However two thirds also say the older generation are more tech-savvy than people give them credit for and actually helps their grandparents feel more included in their life.
The research, carried out via OnePoll.com, found cooking (46 per cent), storytelling (33 per cent) and saving money (21 per cent) are the skills young people associate most with their mum and dad’s parents.
And gardening (42 per cent), giving advice (38 per cent) and being patient (35 per cent) are the things they think their grandparents are better at than them.
A spokesperson for Three, added: “Grandparents remind us that connection is just as important as information and that listening to their stories is a way of carrying history forward.
“We’re proud to support them develop their digital skills, so we can ensure their voices continue to guide future generations.”
THINGS GEN-Z HAVE TURNED TO THEIR GRANDPARENTS FOR:
- How to cook a family recipe
- How to garden or grow your own food
- Advice on friendships
- How to knit
- How to plant and care for houseplants
- How to make homemade soup
- How to live a meaningful life
- Career advice
- General DIY help
- Romantic/love life advice
- How to sew on a button
- How to budget/save money
- How to bake bread from scratch
- How to invest or save for retirement
- How to keep a positive outlook
- How to make a Victoria sponge
- How to make a good first impression
- How to set a formal dinner table
- How to use older technology, like a record player or camera
- How to iron a shirt properly
