We worry about our kids’ screens while our parents are getting catfished on Facebook – a quick How To guide for our parents’ generation

Why we should give our parents the same energy we give our kids when it comes to tech, safety, and the fun stuff.

We obsess over kids and screen time, parental controls, and whether TikTok will melt their homework. That matters. But while we’re busy configuring Screen Time for our teens, a lot of our parents have been quietly left behind, or worse, handed a powerful device and told “have fun” like it’s a bike without brakes.

Meanwhile, scammers are getting sneakier, low-quality junk is a tap away, and many folks 60 plus have never been shown how to use basic things like the camera, voice commands, texting, or email. They aren’t anti‑tech. They just need someone to hand them the map and ride shotgun for the first few trips.

This guide gives you that map. We’ll show you why Apple’s latest lineup is a great fit, how to set up the right safety rails, and how to teach the essentials in minutes. Sprinkle in some patience and snacks, and you’ll look like a genius.

Why Apple for the 60+ crowd

Consistency. iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and even Apple Vision Pro speak the same language: big readable type, clean layouts, and handy accessibility tools.

Privacy and safety tools built in. Password autofill, privacy prompts, and features like Silence Unknown Callers, Fall Detection, and emergency SOS help cut noise and protect what matters.

Cross‑device magic. Photos, messages, and notes sync across devices. If Mom snaps a photo on iPhone, she can see it on iPad without hunting for cables.

Apple’s newest gear, in plain English

iPad Pro with M5: the “wow, this is fast” tablet

The new iPad Pro with M5 is ridiculously capable. It’s thin, light, and the new Ultra Retina XDR display looks like someone wiped your glasses for you. It runs iPadOS 26 and handles AI‑powered tasks without breaking a sweat. If your parent loves photos, puzzles, streaming, or FaceTime with the grandkids, this one is a treat. Read the full details here: Apple introduces the powerful new iPad Pro with the M5 chip.

Why it’s great for beginners: big screen, long battery life, easy to hold, and fewer windows to juggle than a computer.

14‑inch MacBook Pro with M5: the “do anything” laptop

For anyone who writes, organizes photos, edits video, or just wants a reliable computer that sleeps, wakes, and stays quiet, the new 14‑inch MacBook Pro with M5 is hard to beat. Up to 24 hours of battery life and macOS Tahoe make it fast, stable, and friendly. Learn more: Apple unveils new 14‑inch MacBook Pro powered by the M5 chip.

Why it’s great for beginners: trackpad gestures feel natural, apps stay where you put them, and Time Machine makes backups painless.

Apple Vision Pro with M5: the “wow, I’m courtside” headset

If your parent is curious and adventurous, Apple Vision Pro with M5 offers immersive movies, photos, and apps in a comfortable new Dual Knit Band with better battery life. There are even live NBA games coming. Full story: Apple Vision Pro upgraded with the powerful M5 chip.

Why it’s great for beginners: point, look, and tap. No controller to learn. Amazing for travel memories and virtual hangouts.

The Starter Pack: teach these 7 skills

Short, specific, repeatable. Use the steps and the screenshots. Put the phone in your parent’s hands and let them drive. You just narrate.

1) Open the Camera and take a photo

iPhone Camera app icon
Camera in Photo mode screenshot

Do this:

  • From the Lock Screen, swipe left to open Camera, or tap Camera on the Home Screen.
  • Tap the big white shutter button. Press a volume button if that’s easier.
  • Pinch to zoom in or out.

Learn more: iPhone camera basics.

Tip: If your iPhone has an Action button, you can set it to open Camera. Ask Siri: “Open Camera.”

2) Send a text with a photo

Do this:

  • Open Messages.
  • Tap the compose button, pick a contact, type a short note.
  • Tap the camera to snap or attach a photo. Tap Send.

Learn more: Send and reply to messages on iPhone and About iMessage.

Bonus: Try Genmoji for a laugh: Create your own emoji with Genmoji.

3) Start or check email

Do this:

  • Open Mail.
  • Tap the compose button, type your message, tap Send.
  • To add your email account: Settings, Mail, Mail Accounts, Add Account.

Guides: Write and send an email, Add an email account, Mail support hub.

Tip: Use Priority Messages and Smart Reply with Apple Intelligence to speed things up: Use Apple Intelligence in Mail.

4) Get directions in Maps

Do this:

  • Open Maps.
  • Type the place, tap Directions, choose Drive, Walk, Transit, or Cycle.
  • Tap Go and follow the voice prompts.

Guides: Use Maps on iPhone, Get driving directions, Change spoken directions settings.

Tip: Add the Maps widget to the Home Screen for quick routes.

5) Talk to the device, skip the tapping

Siri and Voice Control help with hands‑free access.

  • Say “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” then ask: “Call Alex,” “Text Sam I’m running late,” “Directions to Costco,” or “Open Camera.”
  • Turn on Voice Control for full voice navigation in Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control.

Guides: Use Siri on all your Apple devices, Use Voice Control on iPhone or iPad.

Tip: If speaking isn’t convenient, try Type to Siri: Use Apple Intelligence with Siri.

6) See better, tap easier

Two quick adjustments that help instantly:

  • Text size: Settings, Display & Brightness, Text Size, then pick what feels good. Or go to Accessibility → Display & Text Size for more options.
  • Magnifier: Search for Magnifier and open it like a camera for menus and tiny labels.

Guide: What’s new in iOS 26 and the iPhone User Guide home: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/welcome/ios.

7) A few Apple Watch safety superpowers

If your parent wears an Apple Watch, turn these on:

  • Fall Detection and Emergency SOS in the Watch app on iPhone.
  • Low Heart Rate and High Heart Rate notifications.

How to call emergency services on your Apple Watch

Press and hold your watch’s side button (the button below the Digital Crown) until the Emergency Call slider appears. On Apple Watch Ultra models, you can also press and hold the Action button.

Apple Watch screen showing the Emergency Call slider

Drag the Emergency Call slider to start the call immediately. Or you can keep holding the side button; after a countdown, your watch calls emergency services automatically.

Use Crash Detection and Fall Detection to call for help

If you have Apple Watch Series 8 or later, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), or Apple Watch Ultra or later with the latest version of watchOS, your device can call emergency services and send a message to your emergency contacts when a severe car crash is detected. Learn more about using Crash Detection on Apple Watch to call for help in an accident.

Fall Detection on Apple Watch Series 4 or later and Apple Watch SE or later can connect you to emergency services when a hard fall is detected. Learn how to use Fall Detection on Apple Watch.

Browse the line: Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE, or Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Scam‑proofing for parents, in 5 rules

  1. If you didn’t start the conversation, don’t share info. No codes, banking numbers, or remote‑access apps.
  2. Hang up and call back using the official number. Do not trust caller ID. For Canadian readers, use the Canadian Anti‑Fraud Centre: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ and the reporting page: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng.htm.
  3. Silence strangers. On iPhone, go to Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers.
  4. Use strong passcodes and Face ID or Touch ID. No birthdays, no 1234.
  5. Updates are gold. Keep iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and apps up to date.

Extra reading for Canadians: Get Cyber Safe and RCMP National Cybercrime Coordination Centre.

Set them up for wins, not frustration

  • Put the right apps on the first Home Screen. Messages, Phone, Mail, Photos, Camera, Maps, Notes, and the App Store. Hide the clutter on page two.
  • Use shared albums in Photos so grandkid pictures appear automatically.
  • Create a Favourites list in Phone and Messages so calls and texts are one tap.
  • Add a medical ID on iPhone and Apple Watch.

The conversation matters

Sit down with tea. Ask what they want from the device: better photos, easier bills, chatting with friends, reading the news, brain games, audiobooks. Teach those first. Remind them that mistakes are part of learning, and that you still Google “how to reset the Wi‑Fi” every other Tuesday.

They are not over the hill. They’re just at the trailhead, and you brought snacks.

Quick‑start Cards you can save or print

Open Camera and take a photo

  1. From the Lock Screen, swipe left, or tap Camera.
  2. Tap the big white shutter button.
  3. Press a volume button if that feels easier.

More help: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/camera-basics-iph263472f78/ios

Send a text with a photo

  1. Open Messages.
  2. Tap compose, pick a contact.
  3. Tap the camera, take or choose a photo, tap Send.

More help: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/send-and-reply-to-messages-iph82fb73ba3/ios

Get directions in Maps

  1. Open Maps, type a place.
  2. Tap Directions, pick Drive, Walk, Transit, or Cycle.
  3. Tap Go.

More help: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-maps-iph02f94fc1c/ios

Start email

  1. Open Mail.
  2. Tap compose, write your note, tap Send.

Need to add your account? Settings → Mail → Mail Accounts → Add Account.

More help: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102619

Cyber safety resources:

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