Technology has helped us in so many ways. Apart from making work easier, it also enables us to stay connected with loved ones even if they’re hundreds of miles away from home. Technology is helpful in preserving memories through photos and recordings, too.
Unfortunately, not everyone is a fan of technology. Older people, for example, find it hard to keep up with the technological advancements these days. They seem to need a helping hand each time they need to use a computer or their mobile phones.
The good news is that even though older people struggle with technology, they don’t see it as a bad thing. In fact, they find their mistakes quite funny. Even their loved ones think the same way and that’s why they were generous enough to share them on the internet.
Check out the 50 of the funniest tech fails from older people.
1. Reverse technology
We’re so used to instant gratification. Snap a pic and share it with your friends and family instantly. Granny hasn’t quite caught on though. She snaps a pic, somehow manages to get it printed and then snail mails it to you. But she looks so proud of herself.
2. I found your phone!
It has a screen. Check. It has number buttons. Check. It has all sorts of other confusing math-related buttons, but whatever, Granny thinks she found someone’s phone. Maybe it’s one of those Blackberry things.
3. When you just give up
I’ve been there. You try to be patient. You show them again and again what to do, but they just don’t seem to get it. At that point, you quietly give up.
4. Go, granny
Although, I don’t know if a senior should be reading something where the pictures seem to leap off the page at you. I think you’d want to make sure their hearts were still strong first. But since it’s small, cuddly kittens, maybe it’s not too bad.
5. Zoom in
When you’re 90, it’s a little harder to see things. Things like the itty-bitty print on your phone. Thank goodness for old school tech like magnifying glasses that can make things a little more legible for you.
6. Love you too, dad
These new-fangled phones we have these days have so many confusing features. Like filters to cover your photos with and even shapes for your photos. But how do you turn the darn things off?
7. I completely understand
I’m a techy, and I still get confused by remotes sometimes. Poor granny needed to have hers “grandma-ified” so she could use it. Personally, I think this is a marketable idea!
8. Please fix this
I was taught to respect my elders, but sometimes it’s very hard not to laugh in their faces. Like this. Someone’s grandmother asked them to fix her phone because the time was always wrong.
9. So polite
A lot of people today neglect to say please and thank you to each other. Imagine learning that your grandmother says please and thank you when doing a Google search. How refreshing.
10. Nana shares some of her fave websites
This is amazing. Not to mention an embarrassing reminder of how lazy-ass we’ve all become. Copy and paste that? Sure. Write that out longhand? Not a chance. The sad thing is that after all that work, you can bet the recipient grandchild did not type that URL into a browser address bar to check it out.
11. Whee! This is fun!
The delight of a parent when they get their first camera phone. Expect to start getting endless selfies. Don’t believe it? Here’s the perfect example.
12. Oh, boy!
At least she tried, right? But this 82-year-old grandma is lucky she didn’t fry herself to a crisp or get flung across a room. I wonder how close she came to electrocuting herself?
13. When mom is cruel
How is it that older persons get emojis confused? The laughing emojis are clearly laughing, even if they have tears in their eyes.
14. Can you pick these up for me?
This could end up being embarrassing. Mom was trying to send a pic of Grandma’s diapers so grandchild could pick them up. But mom got frustrated because here phone wouldn’t send the pic, and she gave up. Eventually, her child realizes why. She’s made it her profile pic and doesn’t know.
15. Everything moves backward
Grandma was getting frustrated with her computer because for some reason, “everything moves backwards.” When a grandchild comes to the rescue, the reason is clear. That upside-down mouse will do it. I’m amazed she was even able to use it that way.
16. What on earth?
I think I would have a seizure if I had to look at this all the time. Mom was wondering why her computer was running so slow. I think having 11 toolbars open on your browser would do it.
17. This is so cute
So dad can’t figure out how to text on his old flip phone, and I’m not going to find fault with him for that. If you’re old enough to have had a flip phone, you’ll know texting on them is nothing like what we have today. So he writes a note, takes a pic and then sends an MMS message instead. I’d say dad is a problem solver.
18. Hmmm
Apparently, dad thinks these boxes have TV models who are pirates on them. But I’m going to say you’re probably not giving dad enough credit, and this was some dry humor he threw your way. You just didn’t catch it.
19. A little selfie time
Granny is taking a selfie using a mirror and the front-facing camera. To be fair, I think there are a lot of people that do this, although I’m not sure why. Either way, lookin’ good, gran!
20. Blowout and style
Hairdryers are used for more a blowout at home or the salon, right? But this is certainly a unique use. Grandpa wants to know what’s wrong with his computer and you tell him it’s frozen. He’s no dummy. He grabs the blow dryer to help melt it.
21. #Mom
Hey, at least she knows the word hashtag, right? And has a bit of an idea—a very small bit—as to what they are. So you need to give her points for trying.
22. Someone is frustrated
You got your dad a new phone for Christmas, but since you’re getting texts like this, you’re second-guessing that decision. Dad has been trying to master voice texts and seems to be having a bit of a problem.
23. Grandma is further ahead than some
There are a lot of people that don’t know how to take a screenshot. At least this grandma has that part down. But instead of getting actual images printed, she’s getting screenshots of the image printed.
24. There’s a learning curve
Sometimes it’s good to keep checking on the elderly, making sure everything is safe and right in their homes. Like when you bought grandma her first cordless phone and realize how she’s charging it. Maybe she doesn’t even realize the phone is supposed to charge when it the base.
25. LOL. So cute
Imagine this. You’ve bought grandma a gift, taken a picture of it, and sent it to her. Grandma clearly doesn’t spend a lot of time in stores like Best Buy. Her response is priceless.
26. Family time
In some families, the Thanksgiving get-together is the time for all the seniors to get the juniors to fix whatever they’ve broke on their computer or phone. Someone’s mom has managed to install something that adds ads to the lock screen. Which is just rude, IMO, and I would be finding that app and deleting it right away.
27. Have a snack
I brought over something yummy, but it needs to be cut. This small cutting board looks a little odd, but it will do. I hope those iPad covers can withstand the sharp blade of a knife!
28. A win for mom
While some seniors are struggling with their tech, some have advanced a bit more. This mom has been able to set her mom as her wallpaper image. Yay, mom!
29. I love this
In hopes of answering future questions, someone had this engraved on the iPad they bought their mom. I’m going to guess mom has a good sense of humor.
30. A clear message
At first glance, this text from someone’s grandmother to their father is gibberish. At second glance you can see what the problem is. A call for help because she can find the spacebar on her keyboard.
31. Poor guy
There could be a few things at play here. Either he has super bad vision and can’t see the teeny tiny font that some screen resolutions show, or he’s somehow managed to zoom in and can’t figure out how to zoom back out. I hope someone stepped in to help the poor old guy out.
32. So cute
Ah, the grandparents sent you a selfie of them and the dog. But are they Australian? Do they live Down Under? Actually, I’m just trying to imagine how to wrap my fingers around taking a selfie when I’m holding the phone upside down.
33. What?
Is this the texting equivalent of speaking with your mouth full? Your words are all jumbled—or don’t seem to be words at all—since your lips and tongue don’t work correctly around all that food? I really can’t come up with another explanation for this. Other than a keystroke.
34. Ingenious
But if only it worked. I guess if you grew up somewhere where you needed to adjust an antenna to get better reception for your TV, this might make sense. Someone’s mom has elevated her computer hoping to get a better internet connection.
35. Extra cautious
I’m not sure how well the original packaging will serve as a phone case, but it is something. This is someone’s dad using the box as a case for his new phone since his new protective case hasn’t arrived.
36. Guess what this is?
Bet you don’t know! It’s an old style mouse. Someone told their dad they needed a new mouse, and dad pulled out this. You know how some seniors never throw anything away? This is a perfect example. That thing just looks painful to use.
37. Mom style
Why is it moms and older people text with an index finger instead of both thumbs? I think it must be because of the way they were taught to type? I really don’t know, but I don’t get it.
38. What the heck?
When did Dell have an all-in-one like that? It looks like an old-style TV. And who carts that thing around to do some work at the café? That’s some dedication. And I should note he doesn’t look that old.
39. Ah, mom?
First, how could anyone even use a phone with a cover in that condition? I’m surprised it’s even registering any touch. Anyway, someone had to point out to their mom that what they had been using as a screen protector was the cello wrap that comes on new phones—that you pull off and throw away.
40. What’s wrong with this thing?
“You need to talk louder, dear. For some reason, I can’t hear you.” Okay, so she’s got the phone backward, that’s clear. But I think she has it upside down as well. She’d definitely be better off using earbuds.
41. Resourceful
The thing about seniors is a lot of them had to do without luxuries, so they found ways to compensate for their needs. Grandma here has a small TV. So she’s figured out a way around that so she can see. Now go buy her a bigger TV!