Love Me Or Hate Me

[renegadefm]

I know I am a modern day Victor Meldrew, but how many of you would admit giving up your mobile phone, or internet would cripple you?

 

It made me think today because my parents now both 90 don't even look to watch the tv, and they still don't have broadband in their house, and mobile phones are still alien to them, especially smart phone's. 

Are we now a nation that relies too much on these creature comforts?

 

Baring in mind my parents still seem content with the way they are. I think the closest they come to technical things are switching a light on. 

 

Thoughts?? 

[david small]

I don’t have nor want a mobile phone. I find a landline intrusive enough.

[ToraToraTora]

It would be a handicapped life without the net or smart phones. That is not to say we have to be wedded to them completely. Sure we could all manage without the net and mobile phones but it would be a crippled existence compared the others that do use those things. So many things have been impoved by the net and smart phones, we should not let the bad thngs take that away.

[nailedit]

I wish life was so much more simpler....

 

 

[Thisoldbird]

I'm a few years off 90 but, would be totally lost without my internet and mobile phone.

They are my window on the world.  I'm pretty deaf even with hearing aids so seldom watch tv..the sound is jumbled and sick of ready sub titles.

I think there's still a few very old people that haven't succumbed to the IT world..

 

[pastafreak]

My phone and my tablet connect me with my daughter...250 miles away, and my brother...3,300 miles away. I can speak to them, or receive emails and texts instantly. That is invaluable to me.

I can also have access to information... great for those of us who are curious,  who want to know more. I don't want to be one of those people who's afraid of the Internet. 

I'm 77 by the way.

[Arksided]

I'd be up the proverbial creek without my phone these days, it's my Wi-fi for my PC, which I tend to do most operartions from these days banking, shopping etc... That's only changed in the past few years due to the pandemic.

[brainiac]

Never had a mobile phone.  People are incredulous.

[Canary42]

Had to invest in mobile phone to deal online with my bank when all local branches closed.

[ladybirder]

Your parents having each other to talk to at their age is wonderful and long may they continue.  People living on their own with nobody to talk to I can understand looking at the TV, using the internet and finding somewhere like AB to chat to others must be a life saver for some.

[pastafreak]

So very true LB.

[Smowball]

Hate to say it but I'd be lost without my mobile phone and internet. All my work is an online retailer for a start, plus my banking, messaging all 4 kids and various friends at all different times so that I don't always disturb them by ringing, doing all my prescriptions online to save waiting half hour on fone to doctors surgery...... the list is endless.

[ladybirder]

Cheers Pasta. 

[vulcan42]

I read a strange article recently. It suggested that the modern youngsters hate using the telephone because A, they associate a telephone call with bad news and B, they prefer texting so they have time to think about what to say. The telephone scares them because they have to think of a reply quickly  and don't like doing that. Has anybody noticed this remarkable accusation?

[Smowball]

I actually agree with that Vulcan . Often when you get a text message, you mite want to think about how to reply depending on the subject, but when your phone rings and you answer it immediately you're basically put on the spot. 

[Maydup]

I would be very discontented without access to the internet. It's a quiet disconnected world without it, once you're used to the wonders and breadth of information and conversation available.

My mother is the same as your parents but she does feel left out a lot of the time. Thankfully she has a few friends who are equally non-tech but its frustrating for them to have to ask us whenever they need to apply for something or book online.

[Maydup]

And ..... never voice call me, I won't answer! Text or WhatsApp only. 

F over 60.

[barry1010]

I don't think of my  smartphone as a phone; it is a pocket computer.  Using it for phone calls is a tiny part of what I use it for. I hate talking on the phone, always have. No chatting for hours for me.

Giving up my smartphone would be a hindrance but giving up the internet would make my life much more difficult 

[Cloverjo]

I wouldn't call it a creature comfort. The internet is a necessity now. Being without it would be like not have electricity, running water or an indoor loo. 

[netherfield]

I only see AB on my phone, and very useful for banking.

Rescued my daughter once with a flat tyre, miles from everything. 

[10ClarionSt]

I have a smart phone but I don't use any of the so-called social media apps such as FB, SnapChat, X, Facetime etc. I've never signed up to any of them. I have email, text and phone. All works ok for me!