Can someone in their 50s exist with no internet?

My doctor is trying to do this. I think it’s outrageous. It’s putting barriers to care for the people who might need it most. My mum would just have tried and failed with the app and given up. When I was really ill I don’t think I could have managed an app to do a triage form but I could hit “ doctor” on my phone and speak to someone.
This is the problem. The more we use the internet the more we need it.

I just looked around and it seems like you can only buy it.... online. Or by calling a government office number which, I imagine most people won't have on hand.
I am sure it is perfectly possible to go off grid and many people successfully done so. But is it really practicable day to day?
I have a full time job, for example. Let's leave aside the fact that I need internet connection in order to do it. It's more important that I don't actually have two hours to "do other things" while waiting on a phone line.
I am currently buying a house. My mortgage broker is in Cardiff, my solicitor is in Bath, the seller's solicitor is in Northumberland. I would have to take a day off work to drive around and sign papers in person. Not to mention that I would also need to take time off to drive to my bank (which closes at 2.30pm) in order to request paper statements. And I don't think I would be able to access my credit report at all. The simple truth is that the world moved on and we have to move on with it. We can chose not to but this would mean losing access to many of the necessities and luxuries the modern world provides which includes the luxury of free time.

I don’t know how he gets around things like that to be honest. Perhaps he leans on my aunt and cousins whilst not actively using it himself. But he seems perfectly happy living his life as though it is still 1995.

I’m in my mid 30’s and the internet is so intrinsic to my daily life, I can’t imagine suddenly not having it.

Think internet has already gone too far along the path for many people. The developments come so fast and companies just don't care about those who can't keep pace with tech. Just when you think you have grasped something it changes. E-mails you can't reply to from e.g. your insurance company, chat lines (1.5 hours with talktalk yesterday renewing my contract), telephone numbers almost impossible to find etc. Praised MP yesterday saying that old systems must stay in place until it can be deemed that those not tech savvy have largely 'moved on'. It is appalling if clients can't get in touch easily

I’m 56, I could ‘exist’ but life would be a pain in the butt.

They are available to buy.

So do you still have a phone book delivered to your door? I haven't seen one since 2005.

GP surgeries are probably trying to exclude people anyway so having only the internet to contact them is a good start as that will exclude mainly elderly or poor. Then next it is easy to ignore appointments if the person is not there in person to book or on phone so win win for the surgery

My elderly father has to have internet to book GP appointments and get repeat prescriptions. Despite his age and lack of ability, they won’t let him do it by phone or in person.

You can watch Netflix on the mobile network though, I think OP just means no broadband

You are so right. My GP has just gone online. You fill out the AI triage forms, submit and then hope you will win an appointment in the daily lucky dip.

If you get an appointment it won't necessarily be with a doctor.

You could of course do it.. but what's the point?
No netflix, no online banking, booking tickets, flights etc would mean having to go to a library or travel agents.
Life would become more challenging. And its challenging enough as it is!

I would like to, OP, one day again (not yet 50), but I feel it's not going to be practically possible.
😕

You may be able to for now, but we now have to book a doctors appointment through an app, you cannot call the surgery anymore.

Also things like banking, paying bills etc. It's so much quicker to do a lot of things online.

I don't think having internet guarantees a doctors appointment, I wanted one recently and have internet but couldn't get one so had to dig out my old cream and hope it still works, maybe that's the plan

Can you tell us why you're wanting to do this? Is it a cost cutting exercise?

Why would you want to?

If I want a doctor's appointment I have to have an Internet connection. There is no option to phone. You have to go through an AI triage process then wait to see if you will be offered an appointment.

Most bank branches (possibly all now) have closed in our town centre. Many physical branches are only in the county town.

No Internet would make life impossible. This isn't isolated rural living, this is an east Midlands town.

I am 50 and remember life before internet. But so much is online now. There isn’t even a phone book now so how do you look up places to ring? I remember the London A-Z but now we have maps on our phones. Some places need booking and that’s online only. Even my GP.

I mean you could, but why, it would just bemaking life more complicated, if you’re worried about your usage, use apps etc to block sites and the amount of time you are browsing.

The question is a bit strange as it seems to just mean broadband not mobile network

Probably if they wanted to put up with just a phone, I couldn't because I do most stuff on my iMac, I prefer a big screen, I could easily live without my phone and mainly use it as a vehicle for my iMac and iPad . I'm older than 50s though.

The question of why you would choose to would be more apposite than whether it can be done, because obviously it can.