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How to help older relatives with tech over the holidays

06 Dec 2025 By foxnews

Heading home for the holidays gives you a great chance to help older parents with their tech. The visit often comes with questions about phones, computers, smart TVs and the new artificial intelligence tools they hear about. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you can use this time to set them up for a safer and smoother tech year.

You may guide them through FaceTime or phone calls during the rest of the year, yet working with them in person makes everything easier. You can update devices, adjust settings, improve security and prevent many of the issues that lead to stress later.

Below is a simple plan you can follow while you are home for the holidays.

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Some parents love learning new tools. Others want stability. If their setup works for them, avoid pushing big changes. Also, avoid relying on bots to answer all their questions. They reach out because they want real help and a real connection.

When you teach them something new, walk through the steps instead of taking over the device. Leave written instructions so they can repeat the steps later.

Above all, stay patient. This process builds confidence for them and peace of mind for you.

Automatic updates keep things fast and safe. Many older relatives skip them because they worry something will break.

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer.

For automatic app updates:

You can also set active hours, so surprise restarts do not interrupt them.

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One of the best skills you can give them is how to power cycle devices. Show them how to unplug and restart:

iPhone:

Android:

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer.

A gentle reset solves many everyday glitches. Celebrate the wins so they feel confident when they fix something on their own.

PROTECT YOUR DATA BEFORE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SCAMS STRIKE

Scammers continue to target older adults with fake calls, texts or emails that look like they come from banks, government agencies or even big tech brands. Many people hand over money because the message sounds urgent or the caller ID looks real. While you're visiting, you can set up simple protections that block most threats before they reach them. Here are the most important steps to handle together:

Show them how scammers disguise links in texts, emails and pop-ups. Remind them to never tap unexpected attachments or "urgent" messages. While you're there, install strong antivirus software that stops dangerous links before they open. Make sure it includes:

The best way to safeguard them from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing their private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all their devices. This protection can also alert them to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping their personal information and digital assets safe.

If they already have antivirus software, go ahead and update it, so they always have the latest protections, then set it to auto-scan weekly.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for their Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

Explain that scammers often pull personal details from the internet, including old addresses, phone numbers and job history. Help them sign up for a data removal service that clears their information from people-search sites and data brokers. Choose one that supports:

This reduces the personal info criminals can use to impersonate them. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of their data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren't cheap, and neither is their privacy. These services do all the work for them by actively monitoring and systematically erasing their personal information from hundreds of websites. It's what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target your loved ones.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if their personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

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Most scams begin with a phone call pretending to be Amazon support, Medicare, Social Security or a family member in trouble. Both iPhone and Android now include stronger call-screening tools than ever.

On iPhone

On Android

To filter unknown or spam calls:

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer.

To filter spam texts:

Tell them: "If the call is real, the caller will leave a message."

Make sure their inbox sorts out junk automatically.

iPhone Mail:

Gmail (browser version)

Gmail filters spam automatically, but you can tighten things even more. To strengthen spam filtering:

To block tracking pixels:

Outlook (web or desktop)

To manage junk mail filtering:

To block tracking pixels/images:
• Open Outlook Settings
• Look for Automatic image downloads (web) or Trust Center (desktop)
• Turn on Block external images

Walk through their essential accounts and add 2FA:

Use text-based codes if they prefer, or set up a simple authenticator app for safer logins.

Create strong passwords that you don't need to memorize. Set them up with:

Most banks now send:

Turn all of these on.

Tell them: "No real bank, company or government agency will ever call or text asking for codes, passwords or payments."

Let them know: "If anything feels off, call me before you respond." It gives them confidence and takes the pressure off.

When things get more complex, remote help lets you step in from anywhere.

This makes future troubleshooting quick and stress-free.

If your parents use iPhones with iOS 18 or newer, you can guide them by taking temporary control of their screen. This feature lives inside SharePlay and was further refined in iOS 26.2, but the basic steps are the same. When you're visiting in person, walk them through this once so they feel confident using it later.

These steps assume both devices are on iOS 18 or later and in a one‑on‑one FaceTime call, which is required for remote control to work. Apple blocks sensitive actions, such as changes to Apple ID and payments. Only trusted contacts can request access, which helps older relatives feel secure while you assist them.

How to add yourself or contacts under Emergency Contacts using Medical ID

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer.

How to set up hands-free calling on an Echo for your parents

If it doesn't, double-check: The contact is saved. Their Echo device is connected to Wi-Fi. Calling is enabled under Communicate settings.

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Helping your parents with tech during the holidays creates less stress for them and fewer support calls for you later. It also helps them stay safer online at a time when scams and threats grow more common. A small amount of setup now builds confidence, comfort, and connection long after the holidays end.

What is the one tech fix you wish your parents understood before the next emergency hits? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.