What Is Technophobia?

What Is Technophobia?

Technophobia, or the fear of technology, is the intense fear or dislike of advanced technology or complex devices, especially computers.

Technophobia is surprisingly common. Some experts believe that we all experience at least a small amount of nervousness when confronted with new technology. In today's rapidly changing world, it can be easy to feel out of touch.

Technophobia may seem like a new phenomenon, a product of the information age that began in the 1960s and continues to ramp up at lightning speed today. Yet there were reports of technophobia at least as early as the Industrial Revolution.

Symptoms of Technophobia

Technophobia can lead to symptoms of distress when confronting new technology. If this fear is severe enough to be considered a specific phobia, which is a type of anxiety disorder. People with technophobia may experience symptoms such as:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness, fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Panic attacks
• Shortness of breath
• Stomach upset
• Sweating
• Trembling

It is also common for people with technophobia to be fearful of situations where they might be expected to use technology. This can result in avoidance behaviors such as refusing to use computers, cell phones, ATMs, or other devices. Such avoidance can sometimes make it difficult to function in daily life.

Diagnosis of Technophobia

Technophobia is described as abnormal anxiety or fear related to the effects of technology. According to the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5-TR), if you meet the criteria, you will be diagnosed with "specific phobia," which includes a wide variety of phobias.

A specific phobia is defined as an intense fear of a specific object or situation. It causes unreasonable and excessive fear that produces an immediate anxiety response. It also leads to avoidance behaviors that backfire by increasing anxiety related to the object or situation. Phobias can create serious limitations in a person's ability to function in everyday life.

Even if your fear does not meet the criteria for a formal diagnosis, your doctor may still treat it in the same way as a specific phobia.

Causes of Technophobia

The fear of technology usually is not attributable to a single cause. Instead, a variety of different factors may play a role. Whenever there are major changes in how we do things, particularly if machines are involved, a new fear of technology surfaces.

Social and Cultural Factors

The more frequently people use an item, the more comfortable and confident they become with its use. Traditionally, teens and young adults are the first to embrace new products and the first to become proficient with them, followed shortly by younger children.

Doomsday Scenarios

One of the more alarming situations related to fear of technology is a doomsday scenario. From sentient robots bent on destruction to missiles that launch themselves and begin World War III, there are films, literature, and TV shows filled with "technology gone wrong."

These popular depictions of the modern apocalypse fueled by technology can contribute to the fear of new technologies. Speculation about the impact of artificial intelligence, for example, may also play a part in fear of the future of technology. Even the heads of big tech and social media like FaceBook and SpaceX debate on the potential threat of AI technology.

Bad Experience

Sometimes, when technology is new, it just seems like nothing works right. You sit down at your sparkly new computer, and all kinds of strange things happen against your will. Tabs open and close, work is lost, the sound doesn't work, or the screen is frozen. You name it. Someone shows you how to solve a problem and they make it look so easy, but when you go to do it yourself... well, you know how that goes.

You may feel frustrated with so much time wasted as you troubleshoot your way through each new piece of technology, sometimes bringing you to tears. You start to feel anxiety at the thought of learning how to use a new program or app.

Mass Hysteria

The Y2K scare is one example of how mass hysteria contributed to fear of technology. As the rumor went, banks, government agencies, and society as we knew it was going to shut down the moment that we passed into the new millennium, because computer designers forgot to program the systems to handle four-digit dates. The theory was that the two-digit 00 year would cause the networks to crash.​

Of course, January 1, 2000, came and went without incident. Most major systems were already capable of handling four-digit dates, and those that didn't were mostly reprogrammed well before the critical date. Even those home computers that weren't reprogrammed made it through with barely a hiccup.

Treatment for Technophobia

Talk to your doctor if your symptoms of technophobia are interfering with your ability to function and cope with daily life. Treatments are available that can reduce these feelings of fear and anxiety. Some of the treatments your doctor might suggest include:

• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an approach that involves identifying and changing the negative thoughts that play a role in causing feelings of fear. Talking to a therapist can help you learn to recognize when thoughts are irrational or catastrophic and find ways to replace them with more positive, adaptive ways of thinking.
• Exposure therapy and systematic desensitization involve being exposed to the thing that a person fears and using relaxation techniques until the feelings of anxiety gradually subside.
• Medications such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers may also be prescribed to help people cope with symptoms of anxiety. Such medications are most effective when used in conjunction with some form of therapy.
  

Coping With Technophobia

Technological tools are a part of daily life, so having technophobia can make it very difficult to engage in everyday activities such as banking, accessing health information, and communicating with friends and family.

Whether you are dealing with a fear of technology or just feeling a bit out of your depth when it comes to using tech tools, there are some steps you can take to cope and feel more comfortable.

Ask for Help

Sometimes, having someone you trust to show you how to use a technology you are unfamiliar with can make it much less intimidating. Such support can improve coping, reduce stress, and increase technology engagement.

One study found that among older adults who reported struggling with technology, their primary way of coping was to ask a younger person (often a grandchild) for assistance.

Take a Class

If your fear stems from a lack of knowledge and experience, consider signing up for a community education class. Such classes are often focused on helping adults learn more about the basics of using computers or different types of computer software.

Set Goals

Make it a goal to learn new technology, but focus on one thing at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed. For example, a person with technophobia would benefit from first learning how to operate a computer. Then they might learn how to use a web browser to visit websites. Then they might learn how to use a cell phone.

The key is to take it one step at a time and become comfortable with one technology before moving on to the next. As skill and confidence develop, people may find that they gradually become less fearful of trying new digital tools.

A Word From Verywell

Fear of technology is common, and rooted in a variety of beliefs and experiences. However, it is becoming more challenging to function in society without using technology to some degree.

If you are concerned about exchanging your flip phone for a smartphone, you are not alone. If you find yourself panicking when someone buys you a digital photo frame for your birthday, there is help available.

Be patient with yourself as it takes some time to get used to each new advancement, and know that some things will go wrong as you engage the rough terrain of the learning curve. None of us are immune to these frustrations. However, a grandchild, a class, a YouTube video, or a therapist are there to assist you in overcoming your fears.