To think a 17 year old should have basic computer skills?

[BlingLoving]

Dh spoke with his nephew today on Skype. Nephew could barely work it, and when talking about various things like music etc it became clear that contrary to popular opinion about teenagers, he doesn't have a clue about computers, the Internet etc.

AIBU to think this is an issue in the 21st century? Surely a basic grasp of computers and online activity is a core life skill for people of his age? He was almost proud of being so technically incompetent but I just kept wondering how he will make do when he's older and in the world as it were.

YANBU and I would fine it hard to believe, but maybe the nephew was just shy and didnt really want to talk perhaps?

i don't have skype so wouldn't have the first idea what to do with it.

you are not a 17 year old in a computer led world though Bunny..

skype has been playing up today

Oh no, nephew not shy ands they chatted for an hour! They do that often, I just don't usually hear them .

Unless you are 17 I'm not too worried you don't use sSkype . Plus, the fact that you can use mn means you are probably already advanced vs dn.

I don't have skype.

My 5 year old dd knows how to use Skype.

My 18 month old opens the app, dials and says hi. But once someone appears he gets completely confused! We've had a lt of people surprised by regular Skype calls from us recentlyM

how has he managed in school, my nephew, 2 neices and sister all have internet based homework.

Skype can be weird, we got pictures, but no sound. We were, however dealing with BIL on the other end.

(BIL is a bit dim, DSIL is straight A's clever and lovely. DH and I can not work out why he doesn't drive her mental. Actually I suspect he does sometimes, but she's far too nice to moan.)

Ah, see I can trust dd not to call other friends on my list. She knows how to call my brother and sister though. Oh and there's a really cool hidden smiley (mooning) that shows a man doing a moony. Very childish, but funny.

Mcpants: interesting question. He's not doing very well at school, even though he is bright. But I think that's about other issues, too complicated and inappropriate to go into here.

Interestingly, I think many of us may have the wrong idea about youngsters and technology. Sure they know how to press the buttons, load apps on their equipment, download, search google etc etc but do they know how the darn things actually work? From experience, I fear not. Behind the screen is a mystery to many of them - they just look ultra competent because they're busy flashing away on the texts.