But, what if you are not, or even don't want to be, on the internet?

I don't like the idea that everything will be online. I like to feel that I have some control over things. Computers aren't infallible and sometimes a human being has to sort things out.

I don't think that society can be held back because some people refuse to catch up. If we go down that road, how far should we go? Refuse to have GP or hairdresser appointments made by telephone in case people don't want use them? Scrap radio and TV news bulletins as some prefer only to get their news from newspapers?

Modern life, like it or not, does rely on digital connections, and IMO a refusal to engage with that can be quite entitled, if the refuser expects others to plug the gaps for them. It is much cheaper, for example, for councils to take online payments than to open offices for people to pay in person. Those using the online services are subsidising those who don't, who are costing everyone money that could be spent on other things for the benefit of all.

I do understand, however, that it can be expensive to have a personal connection, whether via a smartphone or a computer, so I think that (when Covid permits) there should be free access to the Internet in libraries, community centres etc, and that there should be a requirement for councils to ensure that it is readily available to all, maybe by regular mobile van or something in rural areas. There should also be staff available to show people how to use the facilities.

That way, nobody needs to be disadvantaged because of lack of funds or lack of knowledge, and there is no excuse not to allow services to be provided cheaply online and divert the money saved to other services.

To say that I couldn't live without the internet is a little extreme, I realise that but take today. I wanted some satin bias binding. I could go into town and face all that caffuful: no thank you! Ebay is my friend: it will be here tomorrow.
The best experience with internet banking was when my daughter had an accident with a lot of cash while in Greece. One telephone call to me and the money was put into her a/c.
Job done ?

I decided about ten years ago to embrace modern technology in order not to become a dinosaur. We don’t internet bank at present though can see this will become essential as I am still untrusting of its safety. My AC are very rude about this!

Life on line is a major part of modern life and being left behind and becoming a nuisance to others is not part of my plan.

I needed to register the guarantee for a new appliance, had the option of online or phone.

Went for online, yes, a few "are you sure you don't want extra cover at £xxx per month?" questions, but far easier to deal with than doing it on the phone!

GrannySomerset
I can check my internet banking every hour of the day if I wanted. Anything could be happening to your a/c and you wouldn't know unless you checked at a cash point or your next statement comes in.

Same here GrannySomerset for some reason I have a real hang up about internet banking. My children are very scathing.

Life does have to move forward and the internet will be a big part of our lives whether we like it or not. I think suppliers etc could do a little more to help those people who for whatever reason do not use the internet.

I've used 3 different banks internet banking. I find Santander the most simple.

Sodapop
I don't know how old you are now but it would be best if you got a handle on it now before you get older.

Spangler it's really nothing to be proud of. You are going to be left behind. What will happen when you are too old and infirm to trawl round the banks and post offices to pay every bill in person? What happens when your post office closes or the local shops stop taking cash payments because there is no local branch to pay cash into (or is the pandemic continues because of health and safety concerns handling cash?)
While you are still young enough to learn don't you think you should?

The predictions are that in 5 years or less the number of companies that will offer the option not to use the internet to do business with them will be very small, so those who can’t, or can’t be bothered to learn now will be at a massive disadvantage, with even the basic things they need to do not available through any other method. My parents are 90 and 91 and they use it all the time, it’s attitude related, not age related I think.

What banks? Torrington, one of our 2 nearest towns, now has NO banks! Last time I checked, Holsworthy, our other nearest town had only one, although that is probably due to close!
A
We have also lost our village Post office, now rely on a mobile version, (which sorts as acts as a bank, offering deposit and withdrawing facilities) but sometimes doesn't turn up due to vehicle/driver problems, oh of course, and weather!

I can remember when some of my Aunts would not use a telephone, scared of it for some reason. I mean old landline type telephones on wire. Meant it was so difficult to get in touch with them.
Society moves on - technology moves on, We can either go along with it or risk being left out in all sorts of ways,
I am more concerned about families who just cannot afford the prices being charged for home wifi - and wouold like to see something like that dealt with at government level.
With regard to internet banking - I find this the safest method. I can check my bank account and my credit card account in minutes every day - so can easily and speedily pick up anything which does not appear correct.
In the past, in the cheque book days, a large amount got taken from my bank account as a cheque book was stolen when it was supposed to be sent to me by the bank. Only realised when cash was refused to me. Could not happen with internet banking, due to my daily check

phoenix

I suppose everyone realises that every time you pay by cheque your sort code and account are on there?

Just saying...............

Very perceptive of you phoenix. A point that I raised at the bank a few years ago. I was given one of those condescending looks that are reserved for old farts like me.

Along with the look I had a lecture in banking and internet safety. It wasn't as brutal as some of the responses one gets here on Gransnet, but it still made me feel like some inadequate dinosaur.

The reason that I use the Post Office is twofold. Firstly our Post Office is a franchise run by a very hard working couple. They are a lovely Asian pair, who happily work very long hours, I am determined to see them make it a success, so they get all my business. Secondly, I really loathe the harvesting of my personal data, which is why I use Duckduckgo rather than Google. Every purchase with a card is logged and added to your profile, every detail posted via Google is logged, likewise Facebook. I just find it so insidious.

Spangler may I refer you to a previous post? We have lost our village Post office, now have a mobile version, doesn't always work though!

I did see that phoenix, I really should have made a quote or remark so that you were aware, I'm still learning web netiquette. There's many a Post Office that's gone to the wall thanks to the Horizon software scandal, but that's for another thread, though I bet it's not as good as this one.
www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1244312-What-is-it-about-village-post-offices
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50747143

I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how robust the internet has been throughout the pandemic. More working from home, children online with school work, increase in online deliveries a stress test of infrastructure that it’s passed.

I expect there were nay-sayers when the telephone was invented and services gradually moved to phone lines instead of face to face. Life moves on and we need to keep up to date.

There are some folk who can’t manage the internet. I’ve tried to get my 92yo mum online but she just doesn’t understand it, even though she has all her faculties and still lives alone without any help. There’s no doubt she’s missing out, though I suppose in some ways, it’s a matter of what you don’t have, you don’t miss.

One example of the difficulty of not being online is the end of the free TV licence. The govt has said it will be sending out letters over the next three months. My mother is entitled to a free licence, which she has managed to sort out by phone, but she is fretting endlessly that she hasn’t yet had a letter from the govt. I’ve told her time and again that letters will come eventually and not to worry but I think she envisions herself ending up behind bars. If she was online, she’d be able to see for herself what the situation is and wouldn’t need to worry. I’ve also told her several times that it’s highly unlikely any government will want the publicity of jailing elderly 92yo ladies!

The comment about Post Offices is also very true. Where my mother lives, the Post Office was closed for months with the alternative being seven tortuous miles away in one direction or 20 miles in the other. When it did reopen elsewhere, there was no bus service nearby and it couldn’t deal with parcels. .

I find it incredibly frustrating that with all this information at our fingertips, hospitals still cock up with appointments, prescriptions can bring grown people to tears and nobody seems to have ever had a quick look at your notes before you meet/speak to them.

Another thing - all this tech, and we still have grainy old rubbish images on CCTV footage. How can that be??

My ex has never had internet connection at his house; never had internet data usage on his phone; will not pay any utility bill except by cash at the Post Office and will not entertain direct debits, even to pay for a contract on his mobile. I tried for years to get him to set up a monthly contract on his mobile phone because he was spending so much on his Pay As You Go SIM card but he wouldn't consider it. Technology and tinternet was just beyond the pale for him; even though he sometimes had to drive for miles to find a shop that would allow Pay point transactions.

Well, maybe I'm wrong, but I take my hat off to that man for standing strong.

I’m 65y and so still of the generation that thinks the internet has the ‘wow’ factor!

However I’ve banked on line with Nat West for over 15y and never had a problem. There you go I’ve hexed it now ...

I agree with Calendargirl in that once us oldies die off the young, who’ve grown up with the internet & comparison sites will take the whole concept forward.

No wonder the high street is dying. Have you tried to buy a pair of shoes in a shop? The staff display some options but no sizes are available and one is directed to order on line ‘because we don’t carry stock’. I don’t blame them. They can’t compete. Click and collect is (mostly) the way forward.
?

Oi, who are you calling oldies, Urmstongran? I’m 65 and definitely not old! Old is my mum!

GrandmaKT

Spangler it's really nothing to be proud of. You are going to be left behind. What will happen when you are too old and infirm to trawl round the banks and post offices to pay every bill in person? What happens when your post office closes or the local shops stop taking cash payments because there is no local branch to pay cash into (or is the pandemic continues because of health and safety concerns handling cash?)
While you are still young enough to learn don't you think you should?

That's a good point GrandmaKT, but I do find it annoying that every minutiae of my life is profiled. Why can't I have a cash card? One that I can top up similar to pay as you go phone cards. The answer is because I retain my anonymity, and we can't have that.

At present, I feel no sense of loss, It's taken me until now to get an email address, and that's only because of coercion by my employer. All my family and friends just text text me and that's fine by me, so I won't be sharing my email address anytime soon.

I'm no Luddite, the internet is was it is, I've been arm twisted to get an email address and I shall probably experience much the same in future. That people find technology helpful is fine by me, but I promise you this. Come the day when I have to use remote cameras with my doctor, there's no way I am going to show him, or the world, my haemorrhoids.