Meet the real screen addicts: the elderly

Elderly screen use and addiction patterns

• Many report parents/grandparents now glued to phones, tablets, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and cable news for hours a day, often more than they once criticized in their kids.
• For some, devices displace real-world interaction: checking feeds mid‑conversation, refusing to travel without high-speed internet, or doing little besides watching algorithmic video.
• Some see this as continuous with long‑standing habits (soap operas, game shows, TV marathons); others say the intensity and ubiquity feel qualitatively new.

Comparison with past media and gambling

• Strong parallels are drawn to slot machines and casino floors full of elderly players in a “zombie” state.
• Others note similar complaints existed about TV in the 1970s, but argue today’s always‑on, portable, personalized feeds are much more powerful and invasive.

Algorithms, feeds, and political slop

• One camp says YouTube “just shows what you watch” and is easily tamed via “Not interested” and blocking channels; they report mostly niche, educational content.
• Another insists there are hard‑coded rage‑bait and political slots in recommendations, sometimes pushing extreme or partisan content off the back of innocuous hobbies (e.g., gaming, cars, camping).
• There is concern about an “alt‑right pipeline,” but also pushback that this label is overused or misapplied.

Agency, blame, and regulation

• Some emphasize personal responsibility: unlike alcohol or opiates, you can simply delete an app, and many people do.
• Others argue that industrial‑scale A/B‑tested engagement hacking overwhelms normal self‑control, especially in vulnerable, lonely, or aging users.
• Proposals range from holding executives personally liable, to banning ML‑driven feeds, to cultural shifts (treating compulsive phone use more like smoking).

Isolation, environment, and scams

• Physical decline, suburban isolation, loss of friends and third places are seen as major drivers: if you can’t easily get out or meet people, screens win by default.
• Elderly susceptibility to SMS/online scams and AI‑generated fakes prompts debate: is this “dumbness,” age‑related cognitive lag, or lack of experience with rapidly shifting digital cues?

Coping strategies and alternatives

• People describe intentionally “downgrading” devices (older phones, grayscale, browser‑only YouTube, no infinite scroll), quitting social media, or focusing on structured hobbies (music jams, crafts, D&D, learning).
• Some argue books and in‑person activities are still far better for maintaining an agile mind; others note that online platforms also host high‑quality educational content if you can steer to it.