Buzz
While I'm generally a fan of adopting new tech (delivery apps, for instance, have been a lifesaver for me), there are moments when modern innovations feel unnecessarily complex. Recently, Reddit user Wizzmer prompted older adults on the r/AskOldPeople subreddit to discuss the technology they outright reject today. Here are some of the devices they steer clear of.
1. "Alexa, Siri, or any voice-controlled 'smart home' device."
—WilliamMcCarty
"Same here. We had one for a few months (it was a Christmas present), but it would randomly start talking or playing music at night — it terrified me! Then we realized it was eavesdropping: ads for things we discussed but never searched for online began popping up on our social media, so we got rid of it.
I know the privacy battle is already lost, and most devices probably listen to (or even watch) us more than we'd like to admit, but not having Siri or Alexa in my home gives me some peace of mind."
—AnUnexpectedUnicorn
2. "Twitter."
—CartographerKey7322
"Twitter was once a reliable source for information and occasionally entertaining. Now, I rely on Threads for fun and Bluesky for news. Forget that X app."
—geronika
3. "I despise internet-connected dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and similar gadgets. I don’t need to communicate with my appliances, nor do I want to pay extra for such features. It’s just another potential point of failure."
—oneislandgirl
4. "A smartwatch."
—jefx2007
5. "I see no need for keyless door locks. While I usually embrace new technology early, I’m uncomfortable with the idea of a hackable entry point to my home. If someone is determined to break in, they’ll find a way. I’d rather make them work for it."
—loquacious_avenger
6. "Many modern appliances and gadgets come with apps. Often, you’re forced to download their app just to set up the device. My fridge has an app that tracks how often the door is opened. I couldn’t care less, so I’ve disabled notifications for these apps. I just want to plug in a fridge, set the temperature, and have it run reliably for decades, like my parents’ old Frigidaire did when I was a kid (though it’d be nice if it used a bit less energy)."
—RunsWithPremise
7. "I wouldn’t say I outright refuse to use , but I’ve never taken the time to learn how, and honestly, I’m not interested."
—Opus-the-Penguin
"I attended a few AI training sessions. It was portrayed positively, I grasped the concepts, and I still think it’s complete nonsense."
—cingalls
8. "Pod coffee makers — they’re my go-to, possibly irrational, pet peeve."
—Optimal-Ad-7074
"An overpriced method to brew terrible coffee."
—bentnotbroken96
9. "I avoid using DoorDash, Postmates, or Grubhub. The costs are absurdly high, and it makes me feel lazy and overly privileged. (I recognize that if I had a disability, my perspective might differ.)"
—PixelTreason
"These services are just too costly. DoorDash can nearly double the price of a meal. I rarely even order pizza for delivery anymore due to the added fees and tips. I also avoid grocery delivery because I like to choose my own items. Delivery personnel often grab the first thing they see or make substitutions."
—Only-Ad5049
10. "I use a cellphone, but I refuse to install any banking apps on it. I also steer clear of Venmo and similar money transfer apps."
—SagebrushID
11. "I make an effort to adopt and use as much technology as possible, but I draw the line at using kiosks to order fast food. No thanks, I’ll pass."
—No_Ad_6484
12. "TikTok. I work with teenagers, and several have asked if I have a TikTok account. They assured me my (future) TikToks would gain popularity and I could build a following. I cringe or scoff at people who are clearly performing for their phones. I have no desire to be TikTok famous."
—OldGuyInFlorida
13. "QR menus."
—Ashilleong
"I don’t own a cellphone. It brings me joy to ask for a physical menu."
—brownishgirl
14. "I’m often teased for not using a dishwasher, but the truth is, I don’t use many dishes and can quickly wash them by hand in 30 seconds instead of running a dishwasher for 20 minutes. I never had one growing up, and I’ve never felt the need for one."
—TR3BPilot
"With just two people in my home, we don’t generate enough dishes to justify owning one. It would feel unnecessary."
—hissyfit64
15. "Self-checkout. If there are no cashiers available, I’ll shop somewhere else."
—seeingeyefrog
"I’m not a fan. I often have a full cart of groceries, and self-checkouts can’t handle it. They’re frequently malfunctioning or require staff assistance. At a store I used to frequent, cash wasn’t accepted at self-checkouts, so the regular checkout line was always packed with cash-paying customers."
—MidAmericaMom
16. "90% of my internet browsing still happens on a laptop. Why settle for a small keyboard and screen when you don’t have to?"
—p38-lightning
17. "E-readers. I received an Amazon Fire tablet as a gift, which I use for browsing, recipes, and DIY projects. But when it comes to reading, I prefer holding a physical book."
—FantasticPear
18. "A TV. I have one in the living room that hasn’t been turned on in over 15 years."
—SemiOldCRPGs
"I’ve probably turned on the TV only five times since my husband passed away two years ago. He was the one who watched TV. When we were dating, he asked where my TV was, and I pointed to an unopened box in the closet. It was a gift from my parents, who were baffled that I didn’t watch TV."
—nakedonmygoat
19. "I avoid using GPS or navigation systems because I’ve observed they make people lose their sense of direction. Many don’t even know street names anymore. Once, I tried helping someone with directions, and they were clueless about the names or numbers of major interstates and highways."
—SimpleVegetable5715
