Can someone in their 50s exist with no internet?

[Bad80sPerm]

This. I don’t have home broadband so no laptop.

i could go to having just TV/Radio etc as my entertainment

Would you find if difficult?

Not sure why you’d want to isolate yourself in that way, or how it would be practical for everyday life. Even if I didn’t use internet for social media, streaming on TV and listening to music/podcasts I’d still need it to send work emails, use Google for research, book appts, do online banking etc. I take it you don’t work or have DC? People that willingly isolate themselves from the rest of the world and refuse to have internet (like my elderly DM!) bother me. It’s such an inconvenience.

Well I'm in my 60s and I wouldn't like to be without the internet.

I know people in their 60s/70s without internet by choice. They do have phones though, so no idea how much they might access that way. A couple of them just don't want any part of it and do everything the old fashioned way. I'm very early 50s and wouldn't want to be without it for shopping, etc.

On the flip side, I’m in my 50s & manage happily without TV & radio.

What about practicalities like banking, do you have internet on your phone?

No I play games online and the machines whinge if there's no internet to the point of irritating

I don't have telly though.

Thing is, it's not just about entertainment - so much household/life admin (for want of a better phrase, as I know that irritates so many people!) has to be done via the internet.

I would find it awful, but you might not. Especially if you have data on your mobile phone, so that you can still get online - but then you wouldn't be existing with "no internet", really.

Banking
Council services
Car stuff
Sorting deliveries etc
Communication

Not to mention... you are asking this question on the Internet...

I'd find it difficult at first but I know I'd adjust and be fine. (I've had to do without it not too long ago.) I'd also get more done!

I don't really have the time or inclination to be waiting in a phone queue every time I need to arrange utility supplies, change my address on council tax, find the best deal for my car insurance etc. Not to mention not actually being able to find out phone numbers for any of these services to begin with.

You don’t need broadband for the internet though, surely? Don’t you have a data connection on your phone that you could use, and / or use your phone as a hotspot for other devices. You don’t have round completely cut yourself off!

How have you made this post?

No home broadband, or no internet access at all? A lot of people don’t have broadband, just use their phone 3G to use what they need.

I know a couple in their 50s who have been very stubborn about owning a mobile phone/being online. Their kids have become exasperated with them and explained that the world is only going to go in that direction, whether they like it or not. Simple things like paying for parking is going to be online/via phone, clubcard points only being a digital account and not supplying a physical card anymore etc.

I’m sure there were older people who wished we could just stick with carrier pigeons and didn’t want a telephone, but you’ve got to face the world keeps turning.

To be fair, it doesn't actually have to. It can all be done with phone calls, visits in person to bank branches, shops, etc. It's more time consuming and how it used to be. It can all still be done that way, it just takes more time. Information on events can still be found offline too.

That said, I do like the convenience of being able to do a lot of things online instead.

My parents still do. However they do spend quite bit of time in the phone sorting bills out

My 82yo DM thinks broadband is essential. Can't imagine living without it.

Internet is an aid to so much in life. 63, I teach IT skills, so know how much difference it makes to be able to access the Web. Just today I checked pension forecasts, renewed insurance, internet food delivery, downloaded a book and replied to this question. I use it to compare prices, research, shop, communicate with friends, banking.... it's a vital tool in my life toolbox.

We had big phone books to find numbers. It's not hard. Numbers are also on letters.

If I have to be on hold, sometimes for two hours, I usually do my work or other things while having my phone on speaker so I can just tend to it when they answer.

There are ways.

Would you be able to have a tablet or phone which had no 4G but did have WiFi, and then go to cafes and shopping centres to get online?

Are people in their 50’s old or something??!! I’m so confused!

I think there’s an idea that these options are being held on to for a generation that is dwindling. I don’t believe phone calls/paper options will be enforced within 15/20 years.

What people lack are skills. I made sure all my children knew how to find information the manual way, use library catalogues, use indexes and everything else before I let them google for information. It's important to know how to do things offline too.

I'm in my 60's and would not willingly go without the internet. Online banking, paying bills, accessing medical records, making appointments...Why would I want to time travel backwards and make life admin more time consuming??

I realize I could use my phone but I'd prefer not to solely rely on it.

I guess that depends how much people with disabilities rely on alternative methods? There always has to be a way for if the internet goes down, maybe for an extended time. I'd hate to be helpless without the internet.

So are you asking about not having broadband, but still having data on your phone.
OR
Are you talking about going off grid altogether ?