Remember the family landline, anchored to the kitchen wall with its coiled cord? For many older adults, that was the sole portal to the outside world, a device strictly monitored by parents. Today, that world has flipped. The parents who once eavesdropped on calls are now the ones immersed in smartphones, scrolling through grandkid photos, playing Candy Crush, and navigating a digital landscape that often leaves younger generations bewildered by their habits.
The Roots of the Digital Divide
This clash isn't just about preference; it's a fundamental difference in how generations relate to technology. According to etiquette expert Jo Hayes, one group stands out: "I hate to be the one to say this, but older people, especially Boomers, have atrocious phone hygiene. As a general rule and observation, I see younger people doing much better."
Author Jodi RR Smith explains this gap. "Older people see technology as separate from themselves," she notes. "Once something is installed, they’ll rarely review or delete anything, if ever." She points to a legacy of tech distrust born from early computer glitches where documents vanished. "For younger people, the same trepidation isn’t there. They see technology as an extension of themselves, sort of a combination entertainer, constant friend and electronic security blanket."
Top Phone Habits That Annoy the Younger Generation
These contrasting attitudes manifest in specific, often frustrating, behaviours. Here are four key areas where generational phone etiquette collides.
1. The Dreaded Cold Call
For those raised with landlines, a ringing phone was a command. For digital natives, an unscheduled voice call can feel like an ambush. Technology coach Brittany Smith, 44, identifies herself as part of the last "calling" generation but understands the anxiety. "We’re overloaded and overstimulated anyway, and that ring can make things feel very tense."
She contrasts this with her Boomer father's philosophy: he answers every call, anytime, anywhere. "He always picks up, no matter what, and he’ll dive right into a conversation with someone, no matter where he is," she says. Her solution? Patience and ear buds while she waits.
2. Novel-Length Texts and Formal Sign-Offs
Diane Gottsman, owner of The Protocol School of Texas and a mother to Gen Z children, has received direct feedback. "They don’t like it when you leave a text like you’re sending a letter," she advises. "If it’s so long you have to break it up into multiple texts, avoid writing a novel and get to the point."
She also warns against overly formal habits like announcing yourself in a voicemail ("This is Mom") or signing a text with your name. Her tips include streamlining group chat responses, avoiding chain letters, and, crucially, learning the accurate meaning of emojis before using them liberally.
3. The Unlocked Screen and Pocket-Dial Pandemic
Failing to lock a phone screen is a common oversight. Jo Hayes observes that many older users send a message and then immediately pocket their phone, screen still active. Brittany Smith relates painfully: "I can’t count the number of pocket-dials I’ve had from my Boomer dad. Almost every time I’m with him, I have to remind him to just click the side button."
Her simple fix is to adjust the phone's auto-lock settings to the shortest possible time, ensuring it secures itself within seconds.
4. The Unwitting Flashlight Offender
A Chicago barista named Catherine has spotted a trend: the older the customer, the higher the chance their phone's flashlight is on, often blinding service workers. "Boomers out in the wild don’t seem to know it’s happening," she says. Brittany Smith compares it to driving with a turn signal on for miles.
The remedy is straightforward: customize the lock screen to remove the flashlight shortcut, replacing it with a less intrusive option.
Aging with Grace (and New Tech)
While younger people may snicker at these habits, Jodi Smith offers a wise perspective. "One of the best things about getting older is simply having the depth of experience to know that those young people can have their fun snickering now, but they’ll eventually be snickered at by those in future generations."
The cycle continues. Today's digital natives, effortlessly managing TikTok and texts, will one day face their own technological reckoning. The final challenge might not be a cold call, but something far more futuristic—like powering up the Senior Brigade's anti-matter transporter for a trip to Mars Base Camp to see the grandkids.
