Technostress: How the digital divide leaves many older New Zealanders feeling excluded
By
Melanie Stowell
The bagel they save for the regulars. Don't skim, savour.
Summary
The article discusses 'technostress' — a term describing anxiety and frustration experienced by older New Zealanders (over-65s) as digital services become the default. It highlights how online forms, disappearing face-to-face services, and scam threats create barriers rather than opportunities for this demographic. Based on interviews with older adults, the piece explores how the rapid digitization of everyday tasks (health portals, AI assistants, online forms) leaves many feeling shut out, struggling to stay connected, informed, and independent.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThere is a term for this unease: technostress.
For many older New Zealanders, the rapid march of technology has helped build a wall rather than open doors.
Navigating online forms, changing apps, disappearing face-to-face services and the constant threat of scams can be daunting.
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