Need some advise

hey all, i hope everyone is having a wonderful day.

So I'm a 40 something female and just bought (second-hand) my first ever scooter and when i say first i mean i never had one as a kid.

tried to go out on it today and cause i have a lot of downhill i basically panicked because i couldn't figure out and brake step thingy.

I'm basically asking how do y'all manage to balance on these things and cope with going downhills and build up confidence. and is handlebar brakes better for my old ass ?

any advise would be welcomed and even some light roasting