Dear LPG readers,

I was having a look at a few statistics recently and found one that some older people will find encouraging, while I expect others will roll their eyes when they hear it. I found a website that says just over half of the people aged 75 and over in the UK now have some idea of how to access the internet. I know that some of the age group involved will see this as a step forward, while others have no intention of trying, but I err on the side of those who have learnt the very basics. 

We are being told on the news daily about the horrifying videos to be seen there, and I more than understand why our children have so many concerns when it comes to what our grandchildren can access when left to their own electronic devices. Still, I cannot tell you about how many times YouTube has saved me. 

You can learn so much arguably useful information with the press of a Google search button. While some are happy to read about what they need to do for the most obscure and unexpected tasks, I have always found that reading has its limitations. While written instructions can be really accurate, it is really hard to explain precisely what reaction you will get from particular gadgets once you have followed the instructions by just reading the written word and, though no instruction is absolutely foolproof, I have always found that an educational video can help when it comes to the expected reaction some instructions might provoke. I recently used one of their instructional videos to learn how to do something, which, though simple for some with a smartphone, was a bit of a puzzle for me. I had tried reading how-to articles and asking how-to questions, but after seeing it done in a YouTube video, I finally understood. I really value the fact that I can watch exactly how to do things and see the expected direct reaction. 

In many cases, no written description is as good as watching for yourself. There is, of course, the bonus that you can repeat the video as many times as you want. YouTube will never tell you that you are stupid for not getting it the first time. I can tell so many stories similar to the one which I read on your pages (►►►), although my Hoover has never been my problem. 

Its other real value comes when, having made up my mind to get one, I am trying to work out which brand of new air fryer, television or other technical gadget I want to buy. Again, I do ask around, but there is nothing like an ‘Unboxing’ video or two to help you make your mind up. 

There have been many occasions when my children have tried to explain something that, once grasped, seems simple, especially when it comes to using my mobile phone, but I find that YouTube can be a much better — and, more importantly, much more patient — teacher. 

The instructional videos might not have all the answers. Still, the ones you can understand will allow you to repeat the information as many times as you like without the risk of getting that age-old response, ‘Come on, mum, I have told you that bit so many times that you should know it by now!’  It is also worth noting that if you have to ask a youngster to explain something more than a few times after watching a ‘how-to’ video on the subject, you go into that process at least half knowing what they are talking about. 

I wonder if, back in the day, when there were only two, three or four television channels to choose from for shared moving pictures, unless you frequented the cinema, any of us ordinary people would have ever dreamed that it would be possible to be featured on such a platform ourselves. Once upon a time, anyone wanting to share their opinion had to rely on telling their friends and hoping that the message would be passed on, but the fact that we have mobile phones with cameras, in addition to the written word, as a way of sharing what we might want to share with the world of uploading our own videoed messages and stories is something that I think is so very special.  I even managed to have one featuring me uploaded, though I still had to solicit my granddaughter's help to achieve this mini-ambition.

I think it is a good thing that the government is putting pressure on the providers of such online platforms to screen out the bad stuff, but I find it special that anyone who really has their heart set on it can be heard or seen online if they want to. 

Though to many, especially younger people, YouTube does get its fair share of bad press, I believe it is one of those inventions meant for good that some people have managed to exploit in evil ways as well… 

BC, Lewisham.