Why most people struggle with tech
If you struggle with smartphones and computers, you are not alone - about 70 per cent of people find technology difficult.
A recent study of OECD countries placed people into five categories: can't use computers, terrible, poor, medium and strong.
Only 5 per cent were rated at strong, with everyone else facing some type of confusion when using gadgets.
The study involved 215,942 people across 33 countries from 2011-2015 and included those aged from 16-65 to test job-related tech skills.
About 40 per cent of people struggled with simple tasks such as deleting an email.
These statistics paint a sad picture for people is the world already immersed in technology and digital skills will only become more important.
Anyone without tech skills is going to be left behind, whether it's socially or at work.
It is in the workplace that these figures are the most frightening.
I know 7-year-olds who are called upon to provide tech support for teachers at school.
Ask any IT helpdesk worker about how competent people are and you'll get hours of depressing (and funny) stories about people's appalling tech knowledge.
This lack of tech skills has exacerbated by a culture of "tech is too hard" in many companies. Anyone who works with a computer, tablet or phone should have a good understanding of how it works and how to fix it.
If a builder didn't know how to use a circular saw and refused to learn, they'd probably lose their job.
However, these stats should also be required reading for tech companies. Too many are over complicated.
If you are one of the 70 per cent, then it's time to upskill.
Learning about technology is actually pretty simple, mainly due to Google. Every problem you have with tech has been encountered before and an answer provided online.
Also, take the time to learn the terminology and each time you learn something, make a note for next time.
Finally, don't blame the computer/internet/software/gadget for what goes wrong. Usually, it's user error so learn from your mistakes and become one of the 5 per cent.
Written by Blayne Slabbert. Republished on Stuff.co.nz.