They're logging on, downloading, jpegging and blithely talking about bandwidths, attachments and gigabytes. They're the new breed of cybermoms and cybergrans - many of whom are so techno-challenged they can't even work a DVD or set a video timer.
But, with children and grandchildren scattered in other countries, they do know how to get online - and many have all the latest gizmos, from webcams to voice software to keep in touch with their offspring and watch their grandchildren grow.
Faith Knowler is one such late bloomer. With a daughter, son-in-law and grandson in Colorado, US, Knowler knew she'd have to lose her techno inhibitions if she wanted to be a part of their daily lives.
"It's very hard having a daughter living overseas, but with the Internet I can be in touch every day," says Knowler. "It's made a huge difference."
Knowler has a wireless Internet connection and Skype software which enables her to speak to daughter Jill Salo every day without worrying about the phone bill going through the roof.
"I log on early in the morning and chat to Jill, using a microphone and, because of the wireless connection, we can chat about small things as though she's in the same room - and I can call her up when I'm missing her. With the speakers, my husband can also join in the conversation.
"Jill sends me a picture of one-year-old Eli every week and email makes me feel very connected."
Narriman Thofy, a retail advertising executive with Independent Newspapers, is another Internet mom, with a son, Romeez, daughter-in-law and two young grandsons in Washington DC - and a daughter, Farhana, heading for a six-month stint in Vermont next month.
"I look forward to going home to email after work," she says. "Sometimes when I am really missing my son, it helps to sit down in the evening and send him a long, chatty email. He is good about emailing me too - sometimes he'll send just a brief email to say 'hi'. It's a means of keeping in touch."
With life-long learning a reality in the lives of so many cybermoms, just how difficult is it to learn new tricks?
"Surprisingly easy for most people," says Dominique Lagesse, brand manager for IT Intellect, a computer training company in Durban, "though many older people are initially very intimidated by computers.
"Because they haven't grown up with them, they think they will never be computer literate. Most are pleasantly surprised and are soon emailing family and friends overseas."
Lagesse says with certain software, families with children in several different countries can literally chat on email if they are all logged on at the same time.
With webcams and voice-over-Internet software (VOIP), families can have conversations from different parts of the world, all seeing each other - though sometimes there is a staccato effect in the pictures, depending on bandwidth.
Durban clinical psychologist Patrick Button sounds a word of caution, however.
"Technology has revolutionised the way we communicate with families living overseas," he says. "Many people have changed from snail mail to email and it is a good way of keeping in touch.
"However, there is a downside to emails and SMSs. Once that send button is pressed, you cannot take it back and when an impulsive email has been sent, there could also be regrets.
"Some people find it difficult to express themselves in the written word and there is the potential for misunderstandings to develop. Communication over email is different from face-to-face communication, so emails should be well considered before they are sent.
In a face-to-face conversation there are subtle nuances in language, intonations of words/accents, eye and facial expressions as well as other forms of body-language. There is none of this in an email, so there is the potential for misinterpretation.
"Privacy can also be a problem - emails or SMSs may go to the wrong person accidentally or could be read by others. Keep communications simple and consider their impact before sending.
"There are also times when SMSs and emails are not suitable. People can be offended to learn of bad news, personal or intimate details in print on a screen.
There is still a place for a handwritten letter, or a call by phone, and there are times when nothing short of face-to-face communication will suffice." The cybermoms, meanwhile, will be up early to check their emails on Sunday.