We’ve spoken with boomers who say they’re fine with new technology up to a point. What frustrates them are the things that feel overcomplicated or impersonal. Scroll through forums or listen to a group discussion, and you’ll hear plenty of complaints about modern “improvements” that don’t feel like improvements at all.
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Automatic bathroom fixtures
Walk into a restroom with automatic everything, and you’re pretty likely to find someone already grumpy. Boomers we spoke with mentioned the faucet not turning on or the toilet flushing at the wrong time. What should be effortless high-tech convenience ends up as an awkward dance. Manual fixtures never created this problem.
Voice-activated assistants
Boomers we heard from said they try to talk to Alexa or Siri and inevitably have to say the same thing again and again. Sometimes these smart assistants misunderstand, and sometimes you just aren’t understood at all. In fact, surveys reveal that many older adults prefer to stick to simple manual controls.
Online grocery shopping
There’s no doubt that it’s popular with some. But many boomers we spoke with mentioned that they value the part of shopping these services take away: the opportunity to select the freshest fruits and vegetables, and to run into friendly employees at their neighborhood store. They also worry about high prices and frequent order mistakes.
Smart refrigerators
Our participants also said that they have fond memories of the fridge of yesteryear when all it did was keep food cold. Now with built-in screens and Wi-Fi connections, the average fridge can feel like it has way too many bells and whistles. “Why do I need recipes or a shopping list on the door? It only makes it more confusing,” one said.
Ride-sharing apps service
Several boomers explained why they never use Uber or Lyft. Some grumbled that the price is different every time, which bugs them. Others admitted the app makes them stressed, or that they can’t quite shake the safety worries. A taxi, to them, is just the steady old choice they know.
Facial recognition technology
Most boomers we spoke with said facial recognition feels more scary than comforting. It’s creepy to feel like you’re being watched without obvious consent. And with so many error reports, they can’t be sure it’s doing what it says it does.
QR code menus in restaurants
We heard from a lot of boomers that they aren’t huge fans of scanning QR codes at restaurants. Why can’t dining be as simple as opening a physical menu? Instead, there are multiple steps on a phone. Seemingly impersonal, slow, and unnecessary.
Subscription box services
I’ve personally seen my parents getting annoyed by subscription boxes that deliver snacks or gadgets. Occasionally they get stuff in the box they can’t eat or don’t know how to use. It turns out that’s not uncommon. Research finds boomers often prefer to shop when they want and choose products that match their lifestyle and budget.
Smart home devices
The idea of a “smart home” with numerous voice-activated or connected gadgets doesn’t seem as smart to the boomers we heard from. First, you have to figure out how to operate all the apps or the voice controls. Many complain that smart homes are too much work and having to learn the apps and voice commands is more trouble for them.
Electric scooters in public spaces
Sidewalks cluttered with scooters are another source of frustration mentioned to us. A couple of boomers complained that they are disorderly and pose a safety hazard. This is especially true in already crowded areas where foot traffic is heavy.
Digital-only banking
These boomer participants recalled how they grew up with bank branches, the kind where you know the teller by name. These digital-only banks pop up and all you get is a screen and some random password you have to memorize. Many said it scares them. Research indicates they fear security issues and miss the human interaction, so they don’t completely trust online banks.
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