Search results
- There isn’t a single cause of technophobia. Factors that can contribute to technophobia include: General anxiety about the future. Mass hysteria about technology unknowns, such as the Y2K scare. Media that portrays “doomsday scenarios” where technology goes wrong or overpowers humans.
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22853-technophobiaTechnophobia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic
People also ask
Why is the Internet so important?
What is cyberphobia & why is it a problem?
Do people with technophobia fear computers?
Why do people hate computers so much?
Is Computer phobia a real thing?
Can cyberphobia cause anxiety?
Mar 30, 2015 · In the early 1980s, the age of the personal computer had arrived and "computerphobia" was suddenly everywhere. Sufferers experienced "a range of resistances, fears, anxieties, and hostilities ...
- What Is Technophobia?
- Symptoms of Technophobia
- Diagnosis of Technophobia
- Causes of Technophobia
- Treatment for Technophobia
- Coping With Technophobia
- A Word From Verywell
Technophobia, or the fear of technology, is the intense fear or dislike of advanced technology or complex devices, especially computers.
Technophobia is surprisingly common. Some experts believe that we all experience at least a small amount of nervousness when confronted with new technology. In today's rapidly changing world, it can be easy to feel out of touch.
While the exact prevalence is unknown, an estimated one-third of the population is thought to be affected by some degree of fear related to technology.
Technophobia may seem like a new phenomenon, a product of the information age that began in the 1960s and continues to ramp up at lightning speed today. Yet there were reports of technophobia at least as early as the Industrial Revolution.
Technophobia can lead to symptoms of distress when confronting new technology. If this fear is severe enough to be considered a specific phobia, which is a type of anxiety disorder. People with technophobia may experience symptoms such as:
•Chest pain
•Dizziness, fainting
•Nausea or vomiting
•Rapid heartbeat
•Panic attacks
Technophobia is described as abnormal anxiety or fear related to the effects of technology. According to the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5-TR), if you meet the criteria, you will be diagnosed with "specific phobia," which includes a wide variety of phobias.
A specific phobia is defined as an intense fear of a specific object or situation. It causes unreasonable and excessive fear that produces an immediate anxiety response. It also leads to avoidance behaviors that backfire by increasing anxiety related to the object or situation. Phobias can create serious limitations in a person's ability to function in everyday life.
Your doctor will start by asking you questions about your symptoms, including what they are like, how severe they are, and how they affect your life.
Even if your fear does not meet the criteria for a formal diagnosis, your doctor may still treat it in the same way as a specific phobia.
Social and Cultural Factors
The more frequently people use an item, the more comfortable and confident they become with its use. Traditionally, teens and young adults are the first to embrace new products and the first to become proficient with them, followed shortly by younger children. Adults are generally somewhat slower to adopt new technologies, and some older adults may never embrace them.
Doomsday Scenarios
One of the more alarming situations related to fear of technology is a doomsday scenario. From sentient robots bent on destruction to missiles that launch themselves and begin World War III, there are films, literature, and TV shows filled with "technology gone wrong." The Different Types of Doomsday Phobias These popular depictions of the modern apocalypse fueled by technology can contribute to the fear of new technologies. Speculation about the impact of artificial intelligence, for example, may also play a part in fear of the future of technology. Even the heads of big tech and social media like FaceBook and SpaceX debate on the potential threat of AI technology. And mark my words, AI is far more dangerous than nukes. — ELON MUSK, BILLIONAIRE TECH ENTREPRENEUR
Bad Experience
Sometimes, when technology is new, it just seems like nothing works right. You sit down at your sparkly new computer, and all kinds of strange things happen against your will. Tabs open and close, work is lost, the sound doesn't work, or the screen is frozen. You name it. Someone shows you how to solve a problem and they make it look so easy, but when you go to do it yourself... well, you know how that goes. You may feel frustrated with so much time wasted as you troubleshoot your way through each new piece of technology, sometimes bringing you to tears. You start to feel anxiety at the thought of learning how to use a new program or app. How to Reduce Your Panic-Related Avoidance Behaviors
Talk to your doctor if your symptoms of technophobia are interfering with your ability to function and cope with daily life. Treatments are available that can reduce these feelings of fear and anxiety. Some of the treatments your doctor might suggest include:
•Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an approach that involves identifying and changing the negative thoughts that play a role in causing feelings of fear. Talking to a therapist can help you learn to recognize when thoughts are irrational or catastrophic and find ways to replace them with more positive, adaptive ways of thinking.
•Exposure therapy and systematic desensitization involve being exposed to the thing that a person fears and using relaxation techniques until the feelings of anxiety gradually subside.
•Medications such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers may also be prescribed to help people cope with symptoms of anxiety. Such medications are most effective when used in conjunction with some form of therapy.
Technological tools are a part of daily life, so having technophobia can make it very difficult to engage in everyday activities such as banking, accessing health information, and communicating with friends and family.
Research suggests that technophobia can have a detrimental impact on the lives and health of older adults, particularly as digital skills have become an increasingly necessary part of daily living.
Fear of technology is common, and rooted in a variety of beliefs and experiences. However, it is becoming more challenging to function in society without using technology to some degree.
If you are concerned about exchanging your flip phone for a smartphone, you are not alone. If you find yourself panicking when someone buys you a digital photo frame for your birthday, there is help available.
Be patient with yourself as it takes some time to get used to each new advancement, and know that some things will go wrong as you engage the rough terrain of the learning curve. None of us are immune to these frustrations. However, a grandchild, a class, a YouTube video, or a therapist are there to assist you in overcoming your fears.
How to Learn More Effectively
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jul 27, 2020 · Millions of people genuinely believed that these digital technologies are simply… bad. They’re “unnatural,” they disrupt “real” social connections, and make people feel miserable.
Mar 22, 2022 · People with cyberphobia may have concerns about using the internet. They might worry about sharing personal information online. This concern can lead to feelings of vulnerability and anxiety about protecting their privacy and security.
Nov 25, 2011 · Susan Greenfield, Aleks Krotoski, Nicholas Carr and more dissect what the digital world means for humanity... As long as humans have been inventing new tools and technologies, we've been worrying...
Apr 20, 2022 · People with technophobia may feel irrationally afraid of computers, robots or artificial intelligence. This fear keeps them from adapting to new technology, such as using a mobile phone or computer. It may also keep them from using ATMs or paying with credit cards.
3 days ago · 1. Cyberbullying and online harassment. People are comfortable sending abusive messages on social media because they feel protected by their online anonymity. The overwhelmingly majority of people who 'troll' and harass other people on the internet wouldn’t do the same in a face-to-face setting. The unfortunate reality is that their behaviour ...
