Usability concerns: Smartphone-centric design excludes non-smartphone users and impacts private browsing
By
sschueller
Soft in all the wrong places. Take with a strong tea.
Summary
The article discusses usability oversights in a digital solution that heavily relies on smartphone ownership, excluding users without smartphones (e.g., elderly individuals with basic phones). It also raises concerns about how age verification and privacy-focused browsing (e.g., incognito mode) will be impacted, drawing parallels to GDPR cookie consent disruptions.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe focus is so strong on the app, that it assumes everyone owns a smartphone.
The other day I saw a granny on the bus with a phone that was 2cms thick and predates the famous Nokia 3310. How is she and other users without a smartphone supposed to verify their age online?
Every website has GDPR checkboxes these days which somewhat disrupts browsing experience if browsing in for example incognito mode.
You might also wanna read
Age verification for social media bans threatens privacy for all users
Australia's decision to restrict social media access for children under 16 has sparked global debate, with similar proposals being discussed

The Role of Good UX in Protecting Older Users From Digital Scams
The article explores whether good user experience (UX) design can act as a defense against digital scams, especially for older, less tech-sa
Illinois HB5511: Privacy Advocates Warn Device-Level Age Verification Poses Security Risks
This article is an open letter opposing Illinois House Bill 5511 (The Children's Social Media Safety Act), arguing that while the bill aims
School phone ban debate overlooks disabled students who rely on phones as assistive technology
This article critiques the debate around school phone bans, arguing that both sides focus too narrowly on average student outcomes while ign
