Technologically Inept Parents

[rt052192]

All the time my parents try to use technology, whether it be the Tivo, the computer, etc they get dazed and confused. Watching my mom try to use iTunes or type in Word is like watching a cripple try to use stairs: it's painful to watch, embarrassing, and pathetic. I try to teach her, but she always forgets and gives me the same excuse: your generation is used to technology, I didn't grow up with this. There is no excuse.

I've heard of other people having this problem, but is there a way to remedy it and does anyone have any funny stories/situations they can share?

When my mom finally sort of learned how to "use" menu system on our TV it was like she was 7 years old and got her first bicycle: she was pumped. What we take for granted easily is the bane of my parents' existence.

 

[Dags90]

Both of my parents are pretty tech savvy. My brother is functionally retarded when it comes to computers though. He's figured out the internet, and even torrents are in his reach...but he just has a knack for making Windows crash horribly.

 

[Marter]

My dad is actually about as good with computers as I am.

My mother isn't terrible, but she certainly has issues with anything above opening a program and using it.

The TV is no issue for either of them, although my mother sometimes has issues with the DVD player.

 

[Unknown Hero 888]

I guess the reason why is that we keep making stuff. Once someone get's used to something, more stuff is made and its much different. Kids, teenagers, and young adults have the ability to adapt much, much, faster than adults because genetics figured that by the time we were old we'd have our lives figured out.

 

[TheTaco007]

My dad's really good with computer. My mom can't figure out how to change her font in Word.

 

[Enigmers]

My careers teacher was deathly afraid of anyone wrecking the computers. We found a computer in the lab that was broken, but had 2 mice. We proposed taking one of the mice and using it on a computer which worked, but had no mouse. She said "no, you'll wreck the computer and the caretakers will get mad at me."

My dad's pretty good with computers, and my mom is learning.

 

[grimsprice]

My dad doesn't understand how that black magic kom-pew-tore stuff works. While my mom is somewhat literate, i still can't call her savvy.

 

[Elephant Walker19]

if my dad had a computer he'd just watch porn with it.
but i do the same thing,so father like son i guess.

 

[DarthFennec]

My situation's different. My mom is definitely learning technology, but she's doing it pretty backwards. Let's just say she knew how Domain Name Servers worked long before she could use the Cut/Copy/Paste functions. I'm not sure I understand it either, I'm just happy she can learn it.

 

[teal08]

My mom can do basic things on her laptop, unfortunately this means that I have to remove a trojan/virus/malware about two times a month. When it comes to the internet she doesn't understand that its not all "safe".

yes, im a bit paranoid

 

[knumpify]

my mom and dad have had computers for the same amount of time. My Mom is now a network administrator for an executive agency. My dad can't change th font on word... but he can find porn online. (they're split up)

 

[Low Key]

My dad uses Word for his job and sometimes he manages to find his way to various sites. I would still consider him computer illiterate. Everything he knows he learned from me, and most of it has come from me making very detailed instructions. My mom has no interest in computers, though her friends have told her to get a netbook since they are cheap, so I think I'm going to have a whole new set of problems.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

My father-in-law was actually a programmer in the 70's, but then changed jobs and didn't do anything with technology for 30 years. He started a real-estate business a few years ago and I set up his office network, and he was like "Wow, do you have any idea how much I would have had to pay a professional to do that for me?"

I suppose giving me his daughter was payment enough.

p.s. Whoever figured out that they could charge morons an arm and a leg for basic computer services is both a genius and an asshole.

 

[Arisato-kun]

Just tell them this.

"Mom, dad, you've been around technology longer than me. It's not my fault you haven't adapted."

 

[Varun Garuda Maharaj]

my dad doesn't even know what skype is

 

[Lineoutt]

My parents aren't but the rest of my family are technologically retarded. I always have to fix their shit to the wonderful sounds of "You and your electronics! Whats an email? You have to get out more! How do you text on this phone-a-ma-gig? You will die alone and unloved!"

No, really. It's great.

 

[LemonMelon]

My mother is an absolute dinosaur. I had to guide her step by step on how to turn the volume up on her phone. A lot of "press the top button on the side of your phone... press it again..press it again.."

I have a belief that anyone born before 1985 immediately lacks the ability to understand how anything technological works.

 

[Feste the Jester]

My parents are fairly inept with technology. My mom at least has figured it out somewhat. My dad gets to frustrated with it and quits usually. It took me months to teach him copy paste and he still can't figure out the TV. He's very much a nature person.

 

[Sleekgiant]

My parents are to the "fucking computers, how do they work" point.

Honestly, both are quite technology inept, my dad can use Office Excel like a pro and that is all.

 

[Vilcus]

Until I was 14 my dad was infinitely more tech savvy than I was(not to say that I couldn't use a computer, I just didn't know how to trouble-shoot, and performing diagnostics on my system seemed impossible to me). Once I hit 16 though I took a Computer Science class in High school. I continued to take computer classes and am now a programmer of sorts (not masterful, but I can make a few games in Visual Basic), and I'm now basically on par with my dad's skills now.

My mother on the other hand grasps E-mail, Facebook, and other things. Not sure exactly what she can do with computers, but it isn't much.