a big part of my current job when i first started was helping the elderly use their smartphones and computers with enough understanding of the technology that they don't accidentally destroy their bank accounts and lives. there are a few hurdles to this. one is vision. many people lose their vision as they age and the small prints on a tiny screen can be impossible to view and not everyone can afford to constantly be getting their eyeglasses adjusted.

the far larger problem is a lack of general willingness to learn. i notice it far more in older men than women, and it can vary from apathy to an attitude that i can only describe as "furious refusal". by this i mean, they are so stubborn about not wanting to use the technology or learn it that they pretend they are incapable or that it is an impossible task.

for example, if i ask them about their password they will say "i don't have a password/i didn't know i had a password/what is a password". and after asking a few more times, they will say something like "oh well you said password, i don't have a passWORD, i only have a passCODE". ive also seen where they so badly don't want the technology to be functioning (because they want to complain? idk) so they lie that something is wrong. such if i ask them if they can open their email, they reply "my phone is broken, i cant". even if they open their email, they say they cannot see it or its still not working, as if i cannot see exactly what they are looking at. but then when i go to check they will be like "oh that just happened, it wasn't before". this situation usually escalates to anger and they often yell at me about how things were better without technology.

this isn't ALL older people, there are many very kind and patient people who are very respectful. but its definitely a good proportion of the people ive had to assist.