New Kaspersky survey uncovers the rise of ‘Can you just’ and the negative impact it’s having on the family unit
- Just under two thirds (64%) of tech-savvy millennials feel obliged to provide tech support to family members
- 31% are worried about their parents being scammed online when they’re not around to help
- However, over four-in-ten (42%) avoid family members they think want tech support
Technology has transformed how we live our lives. Yet with it has come regular demands on time-sapped millennials to provide free technical support for overwhelmed and uninformed family members. A new Kaspersky survey has uncovered that as a result, over four-in-ten (42%) of digitally-savvy millennials avoid family members they think will ask for tech support.
At a time when the younger generation is trying to buy houses, have children and advance their careers, many are increasingly being asked ‘Can you just… fix my phone’ or ‘Can you just… reset the internet router’ by older family members. This has led to almost a third of tech-proficient millennials being worried that their parents will be scammed online when they’re not around to help – though 42% avoid being asked for help.
“Whilst the intention of the older generation to protect themselves without external support may be there, the knowledge base simply isn’t. Because it is a subject area they are unfamiliar with, plus with plenty of negative media commentary stoking the fire of fear, they want someone they can trust. This is causing the phrase ‘Can you just’ to be heard in homes throughout the country. Whilst many millennials find the constant requests frustrating, most feel obliged to continue to provide tech support to family members. But a longer-term solution is required,” explains David Emm, Principal Security Researcher, Kaspersky.
Almost two thirds (64%) of tech-savvy millennials feel duty-bound to provide on-demand tech support to older relatives – which is affecting family relationships, and even gifting habits. Just under half of tech-proficient millennials (47%) avoid buying older family members technology presents, because they know they will be the ones lumbered with having to set it up.
“The dramatic rise of technology within our cars, offices and social environments has challenged all generations to continually learn how to benefit from them. Those in the second half of their lives can find the changes overwhelming and often fear being duped, exposed or targeted via them – and it is often millennials who are forced to come to the rescue,” adds Kathleen Saxton, psychotherapist.
Kaspersky is committed to breaking the cycle of ‘Can you just’ and giving time back to the millennial who are having to increasingly provide ongoing tech support for family members. The full ‘Can you just’ report can be accessed here. Kaspersky has also created a series of ‘Can you just’ guides to empower the older generation, so that millennials can take back control of their lives. They can also be accessed here.
Research methodology
An online survey of 2000 UK adults aged 17+ with nationally representative quotas for each set for gender, age and region. ‘Millennials’ are defined as being between 25 and 39 at the time of research fieldwork (born between 1980-1993). This research was also conducted in 12 other countries worldwide.
About Kaspersky
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity company founded in 1997. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky technologies and we help 270,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.
