technofear
LowInformal, occasionally used in formal analysis
Definition
Meaning
A fear or anxiety about advanced technology, computers, or digital systems.
A broader aversion to or distrust of modern technology, often manifesting as reluctance to adopt new devices, software, or automated systems, driven by feelings of inadequacy, fear of loss of control, privacy concerns, or nostalgia for simpler methods.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used descriptively in sociological or psychological contexts. Not a clinical term. Can imply a generational or cultural gap. Sometimes hyphenated as 'techno-fear'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Hyphenation (techno-fear) is slightly more common in British English.
Connotations
Both variants carry the same connotations of mild irrationality, generational lag, or Luddite sentiment.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, slightly more prevalent in journalistic or pop-sociology contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] has/has a/suffers from technofearTechnofear among [Group]To overcome/combat technofearVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He's/She's] got a case of the technofears”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Discussed in contexts of digital transformation, employee training, and adoption of new enterprise software.
Academic
Used in sociology, media studies, and psychology papers discussing technology acceptance and digital divides.
Everyday
Used humorously or sympathetically to describe someone struggling with smartphones, smart home devices, or online banking.
Technical
Rare in hard tech fields; more common in UX design, human-computer interaction (HCI), and change management.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's been technofearing since they installed the new till system.
- Don't technofear the update; it's quite straightforward.
American English
- She technofeared her way out of having to use the new software.
- We can't have the board technofearing this merger.
adverb
British English
- He looked technofearingly at the self-service machine.
- She answered the survey rather technofearingly.
American English
- He technofearingly avoided the video call.
- She clicked technofearingly on the unfamiliar icon.
adjective
British English
- His technofear tendencies meant he still used a chequebook.
- A technofear reaction swept through the office.
American English
- That technofear attitude won't help your career.
- They conducted a workshop for technofear employees.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandad has technofear. He doesn't like mobile phones.
- Technofear is a problem for some people.
- Many older people experience technofear with online banking.
- To overcome technofear, you need to practise.
- Widespread technofear can slow down a company's digital transformation efforts.
- Her technofear wasn't about ability, but about losing a personal touch.
- The study examined the correlation between age, education, and susceptibility to technofear.
- Policymakers must address the roots of technofear, not just provide superficial digital literacy training.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TECHNOlogy + FEAR. Imagine a person frozen in fear staring at a flashing, beeping robot.
Conceptual Metaphor
TECHNOLOGY IS A THREATENING FORCE / COMPLEXITY IS A MAZE (one can get lost in).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as "технострах" – it's not a standard term. Use описательно: "страх перед технологиями", "технофобия".
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with general anxiety (it's specifically tech-related). Misspelling as 'technofere' or 'techno-fear' (the single-word form is standard). Using it to describe justified security concerns (it implies an irrational element).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is MOST likely a symptom of 'technofear'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Not being tech-savvy is a lack of skill or knowledge. Technofear is an emotional response—fear or anxiety—that may cause someone to avoid gaining those skills.
Yes. While often associated with older generations, young people can experience technofear regarding specific advanced technologies (e.g., AI, cryptocurrency, complex coding environments) or due to privacy concerns.
No. It is not a recognised clinical diagnosis in manuals like the DSM-5. It is a colloquial or sociological term describing a common anxiety, though severe cases could be a specific phobia (technophobia).
Technofear is an internal emotional state. A Luddite is someone who actively opposes or destroys technology, often for social or economic reasons. A person with technofear might simply avoid technology, not oppose it politically.