technophobia
C1Formal, Academic, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
An irrational fear or aversion to advanced technology or complex devices.
A general anxiety, distrust, or dislike of modern technology, often stemming from feeling overwhelmed, fearing loss of control, privacy invasion, or job displacement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term implies a persistent, often irrational attitude, not a temporary frustration. It is the antonym of 'technophilia'. It can describe both personal psychology and broader cultural attitudes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both variants. Slightly more likely to appear in sociological or psychological discussions.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; perhaps slightly higher in UK media discussing societal adaptation to technology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
technophobia + among + [group of people]technophobia + towards + [specific technology]fear/aversion rooted in technophobiaVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To be] a digital dinosaur”
- “To have an analogue brain in a digital world”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Discussed in relation to employee training, change management, and adopting new software systems.
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, and media studies to analyse societal adaptation to rapid technological change.
Everyday
Used humorously or seriously to describe one's own or someone else's reluctance to use new gadgets or apps.
Technical
Less common; in clinical psychology, it could be considered a specific phobia, though not in major diagnostic manuals.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The training course is designed to help staff who technophobe when faced with the new system.
- He tends to technophobe at the sight of a complicated remote.
American English
- She totally technophobed during the video conference setup.
- Older managers sometimes technophobe when introduced to collaborative software.
adverb
British English
- He looked technophobically at the self-checkout machine.
- She reacted technophobically to the idea of smart home devices.
American English
- He shook his head technophobically when shown the new app.
- The policy was viewed technophobically by certain groups.
adjective
British English
- His technophobic tendencies meant he still kept a paper diary.
- The campaign addressed technophobic attitudes in rural communities.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandfather has technophobia. He doesn't like mobile phones.
- She feels technophobia when she uses a computer.
- Many people experience technophobia when they have to learn new software at work.
- His technophobia means he always asks for help with online forms.
- Widespread technophobia among the older population is a significant barrier to digital public services.
- The company's switch to AI-driven tools sparked a wave of technophobia among employees fearing for their jobs.
- Sociologists argue that this resurgence of technophobia is a cultural backlash against the perceived dehumanisation of the digital age.
- Her research focuses on distinguishing rational concerns about privacy from deep-seated, irrational technophobia.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TECHNO (technology) + PHOBIA (fear) = fear of technology. Like 'claustrophobia' but for tech.
Conceptual Metaphor
TECHNOLOGY IS A THREAT/INTRUDER (invading privacy, replacing humans, causing alienation).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите как "технофобия" в разговорной речи, это калька. В бытовом контексте лучше описать: "боязнь новой техники".
- Не путать с "киберфобией" (cyberphobia), которая уже конкретнее относится к компьютерам и интернету.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to describe a simple lack of skill (which is 'technological illiteracy').
- Confusing it with 'technostress' (stress from overuse of tech).
- Misspelling as 'technaphobia' or 'technofobia'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes someone with technophobia?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'technophobia' is not listed as a specific phobia in major diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5. It is considered a colloquial or sociological term for a strong, often irrational, aversion to technology.
A 'technophobe' primarily feels fear or anxiety. A 'Luddite' (historically, a protester against machinery) implies a more active, sometimes ideological, opposition to technology's impact on society or work.
Yes. While often associated with older generations, technophobia can affect anyone. It might manifest in young people as anxiety about specific technologies (e.g., AI, complex coding environments) or a conscious rejection of social media and constant connectivity.
Through gradual, supported exposure (like patient training), understanding the practical benefits, and starting with simple, user-friendly technology to build confidence and reduce the sense of threat.