How to Use ChatGPT: Everyday Examples for Older Australians
Knowing what ChatGPT is and knowing what to do with it are two different things. Plenty of people open it, stare at the empty box, and close it again with no idea what to type. This guide fixes that. It shows you exactly how to start, and gives you real, everyday things an older Australian might actually ask, in words you can copy. There is nothing to break and no wrong answer, so you can relax and have a go. If you are helping an older parent get online, see our wider guide to helping a parent go online.
Quick answer: how do you use ChatGPT?
You type a request into the box in plain words, the way you would ask a helpful person, then press send and read the reply. If the answer is too long, too short or too full of jargon, you tell it so and it tries again. The trick is to be clear about what you want and who it is for. “Explain this for someone who is not technical” or “Keep it to a few short points” gets you a far better answer than a one-word question.
Getting started, step by step
1. Open ChatGPT
On a computer, go to chatgpt.com in your web browser. On a phone or tablet, open the free ChatGPT app made by OpenAI. You will see a box near the bottom of the screen, usually with the words “Ask anything” or “Message” in it. That box is where everything happens.
2. Type your request
Tap or click the box and type what you want in ordinary language. You do not need special words or commands. “Help me write a thank you card to my neighbour for feeding the cat” works perfectly. Press the arrow or the send button when you are done.
3. Read the answer, then ask again
The reply appears within a few seconds. If it is not quite right, just keep talking to it. Type “Make it warmer”, “Shorten it”, or “That is not what I meant, I wanted…” It remembers what you were discussing, so you can refine the answer until it suits. This is where most of the value is, so do not be shy about asking two or three times.
Everyday examples to try
Here are practical things to ask, grouped by what you are trying to do. Copy any of them word for word to begin, then change the details to suit you.
Understanding technology
“Explain what cloud storage means in plain English.” “What is the difference between an app and a website?” “My phone says it needs an update, what does that mean and is it safe to do?” This is one of the kindest uses. For a fuller plain-English explainer, our guide on what Wi-Fi is covers a common one in detail.
Writing messages and letters
“Help me write a polite email asking my internet company why my bill went up.” “Write a short birthday message for my granddaughter turning ten.” “Make this message sound friendlier” and then paste in what you have written. It is a patient ghostwriter that never tires of your edits.
Planning and lists
“Make a simple checklist for setting up a new tablet.” “What should I pack for three days in the Blue Mountains in winter?” “Give me a week of easy dinners for two and a shopping list to match.” It is good at turning a vague idea into something you can actually follow.
Making things easier to read
Paste in a long, dense paragraph, perhaps from a letter or a council notice, and type “Summarise this in simple points” or “Explain what this actually means for me”. It will not replace proper advice on anything serious, but it can take the fear out of a confusing letter.
Hobbies and everyday curiosity
“Suggest three easy roses for a Melbourne garden.” “Explain the rules of cribbage simply.” “I have wool and no pattern, suggest a simple beginner knitting project.” This is often where people relax and start to enjoy it.
A common mistake to avoid
The mistake we see most often is treating the first answer as the finished article. People ask once, find the reply a bit generic, and give up. ChatGPT gets much better when you push back. The second and third answers, after you have said “shorter”, “simpler” or “more like this”, are usually the good ones. The other habit worth keeping is to check anything that matters. A confident answer is not the same as a correct one, so verify prices, dates, health and money details somewhere reliable.
Tips for better answers
- Say who the answer is for, such as “for someone who is not technical”
- Ask for a length, like “in three short points” or “in a sentence or two”
- If it is wrong, say so and tell it what you actually meant
- Leave out passwords, bank details and private information
- Check anything important against an official source before acting on it
If you would like a plain-English overview of AI before you go further, start with our guide on what AI is for seniors. And if you would rather have someone beside you the first time, our list of free tech help for seniors is a good place to look.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
FAQ: using ChatGPT
What do I actually type first?
Anything you like, in plain words. A gentle start is “Explain what Wi-Fi is in simple terms” or “Help me write a short thank you note”. There is no special wording to learn.
What if the answer is wrong or strange?
Tell it. Type “That is not right” or “Try again, simpler”, and it will have another go. For anything important, check the answer against an official source as well.
Can it remember our conversation?
Yes, within the same chat. You can keep refining an answer without repeating yourself. If you start a brand new chat, it begins fresh.
Is it rude to keep asking it to redo things?
Not at all. It has no feelings to bruise, and asking it to redo and refine is exactly how you get a good answer. Push back as much as you like.
Can I use it for medical or money questions?
You can ask it to explain a term in plain English, but do not rely on it for advice or decisions about your health or money. Always check with the right professional or official source.
