Phone Confidence: A Free AI Helper for Older Adults

Five simple copy-and-paste prompts. Learn at your own pace, without feeling rushed. Free for families, carers, community groups and anyone who wants a patient technology helper.

This mini-toolkit works alongside our Free AI Resources library. You can use it yourself or sit with a parent, grandparent or neighbour.

Start here

Step 1: Open ChatGPT. Step 2: Copy one prompt from the box below. Step 3: Replace the words in [square brackets] with your situation. Step 4: Paste it into ChatGPT. Ask for shorter instructions or repeat a step whenever you like.

Safety first: Never paste passwords, one-time login codes, bank details, identity documents or private health information. AI can make mistakes and phone menus change. For suspicious messages, verify independently using an official website, app or a phone number you looked up yourself.

Five things you can try today

1. Your patient phone teacher

			
I want to learn how to [TASK] on my [IPHONE OR ANDROID PHONE]. First ask me which phone model I have. Then teach me one small step at a time in plain English. Wait for me to say 'done' before the next step. If menus vary by model, say so and ask what I can see. Never guess a button name.

Example: I want to make the text bigger on my Samsung phone.

2. Make confusing tech words simple

			
Explain [TECH WORD OR PHRASE] as if I have never used it before. Use one everyday analogy, one real example and three short things I should remember. Avoid technical jargon. Then ask me one easy question to check I understand.

Example: Explain what a QR code is.

3. Check a suspicious text message

			
Help me assess whether this text message might be a scam. I will paste the wording with names, links, phone numbers and personal details removed: [MESSAGE]. List possible warning signs. Do not say it is definitely genuine or definitely fraudulent. Give me safe ways to check using the organisation's official app or a phone number I find independently. Tell me not to click links, share codes or send money while uncertain.

Example: Your parcel could not be delivered. Pay a small fee now.

4. Make my phone easier to read and hear

			
I use a [PHONE MODEL]. I find [SMALL TEXT / QUIET SOUND / TINY BUTTONS / NOTIFICATIONS] difficult. Suggest three accessibility settings that may help. Ask which one I want first, then guide me through it one step at a time. Tell me when menu labels might differ. Do not ask for passwords or private information.

Example: The writing on my iPhone is too small.

5. Practise an online task without pressure

			
I want to practise [BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT / USING A VIDEO CALL / FILLING IN A FORM]. Create a pretend practice exercise with fictional names and details. Walk me through the steps, one at a time. Explain what to double-check before submitting anything for real. Never ask me to enter actual banking or identity details here.

Example: Practise joining a video call with my family.

What a conversation could look like

You: ‘I want to make the text bigger on my Android phone.’

ChatGPT: ‘Of course. Which phone do you have, such as Samsung or Google Pixel?’

You: ‘Samsung.’

ChatGPT: ‘Let’s try one step. Open Settings. Tell me when you’re there.’

That’s the idea: one step, then the next. You are always in control of the pace.

Bonus: the same idea in JSON

JSON is simply a tidy way to write instructions. It looks technical, but you can copy the whole box into ChatGPT without learning to code.

			
{
  "role": "patient technology coach",
  "person": "older beginner",
  "device": "[PHONE MODEL]",
  "goal": "[WHAT I WANT TO LEARN]",
  "style": "plain Australian English, one small step at a time",
  "rules": [
    "ask which device I use",
    "wait for me to say done after each step",
    "ask what I can see if menus differ",
    "never request passwords or one-time codes"
  ]
}

		

A five-minute practice checklist

□ I picked one small task. □ I copied a prompt. □ I replaced the bracketed words. □ I asked for one step at a time. □ I checked the result on my own device. □ I kept private details private.

Community idea: Try this toolkit with a family member or at a local digital-confidence group. Let the learner control the phone, while the helper reads the steps aloud. No paid software or special technical skills required.

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