People with tech skills could give a lot more than gifts to family and friends this Christmas – they could also be making a huge gift of their time sorting out family tech problems.
That's the finding of an independent survey by Noel Leeming which clearly shows that some family members endure being unwillingly appointed as the tech support person for family and friends.
The survey, commissioned by Noel Leeming, even shows that some people in such a position are put off from buying technology presents like tablets, smart TVs, wearables and smart phones because of the added burden of being the person who has to fix every rogue bleep, blank screen or unexplained malfunction.
More than half of Kiwis (53 per cent) identified themselves as the family tech support and just under a third (31 per cent) are asked for technology-related help from their friends and family on a weekly basis or more.
David Cooper, Head of Services at Noel Leeming, says the research highlights some interesting family dynamics when it comes to festive gifting.
"We can see that it can be frustrating for the family tech go-to, particularly when 36% of Kiwis say they'd need some form of assistance setting up a new smartphone or tablet, and a whopping 74% of those surveyed have admitted there's one special person they turn to when they can't figure out a device."
Claudia Selwood from Auckland knows this situation only too well: "I'm an only child, so my parents see me as the only source for tech help within our family. I get phone calls a few times a week from my mum or my dad wanting to ask a 'quick' tech question. It's never a quick question," she says.
"My parents recently upgraded their TV because the previous TV didn't have a designated Netflix button on the remote, instead it had an 'apps' button. They couldn't get their head around it, so they ended up buying an entirely new TV. I can absolutely understand why people are put off buying family tech gifts.
Cooper says parents make up the majority of those asking for help with devices:
- 51 per cent say their mum asks them the most for tech support help
- 35 per cent say their dad asks them for the most tech support help
- 21 per cent are asked by their grandparents the most for tech support
- 38 per cent are asked by their children for tech support
"But it doesn't have to be like that," he says. "What many Kiwis may not realise is that IT support isn't just for big corporates. You can now access tech support at home from Noel Leeming Tech Solutions – either remotely or in person – so you can get your mum or dad to call us instead."
The study revealed that, while the majority of those nominated as 'tech support' within families do help out, 58 per cent would outsource the tech problems to someone else if they could.
"So, to me, that means that so many people put in the position of being an 'unofficial tech support ' to family and friends don't have to suffer that stress – because Noel Leeming can not only offer the gift of technology but also the support that goes with it.
Noel Leeming's Tech Solutions is a team of tech experts available as one-off device support or even a 12-month remote support subscription. The service has been available for almost 10 years and Cooper says demand is increasing nationwide.
Noel Leeming Tech Solutions offer nationwide, down to earth, tech support and advice to demystify tech, supporting customers after they've left the store to ensure they get the most out of their tech.
Tech Solutions services can be easily booked online, including:
- TV set up and installation
- Computer, tablet & network set up and installation
- Mobile phone set up
- Setting up streaming devices
- HelpDesk Support
For more information: www.noelleeming.co.nz/techsolutions