Is technology taking over our lives?

Get down, Shep!

So, nearly 70% of people under 25 admit to communicating by text or email with someone in the same house.

That's according to the latest research by Best Buy, which has been investigating our attitudes to technology.

Now don't worry, I'm not about to come over all Daily Mail on you and start ranting about "the youth of today" and how "in my day we made do with washing-up bottles and sticky-backed plastic" (Blue Peter, for those of you too young to remember).

But Best Buy's report did get me thinking. As someone who (ahem) falls into the over-35 age bracket, I should, apparently, be one of those who switches on the kettle when I first get home for a sit-down and a nice cuppa, before firing up the laptop or switching on the TV (presumably after slipping on my favourite cardigan and M&S slippers).

The thing is, though, I think we're all just getting more used to technology and multi-tasking. I frequently watch TV at home with the laptop on my knees, perhaps doing a bit of web surfing if the programme I'm viewing gets a bit boring. And the first thing I do in the morning when I come downstairs (before putting the kettle on) is check my emails on my iPhone.

Now I may not have resorted to texting someone else in the house, but I will admit to having on occasion phoned from upstairs to see if the other half in the kitchen has got lunch ready. Shocking, I know.

They don't make 'em like this any more...

So I don't think age comes into it. I have an elderly aunt who bought a laptop, took lessons on how to use the web and is now a highly proficient silver surfer. And I've recently introduced my parents to the delights of multichannel, high-definition TV and they couldn't be happier.

So let's not beat ourselves up about our 21st-century habits. Technology can be infuriating, especially when it doesn't work properly, but it can also be liberating. Wi-fi lets me work on the laptop in the garden, or stream music on Spotify through my iPhone. And if I can't be in the office, I can still work on the web from anywhere in the world.

Did we manage in the past without all the gadgets of modern day living? Yes, of course we did. But let's be honest, making things with old coat hangers and washing-up bottles wasn't half as much fun, whatever James May says.

Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.

Latest in AV
Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025 promotional image with Amazon boxes
Amazon Big Spring Sale live: our TV and headphone experts’ real-time buying advice
A render of a couple watching TV in a living room with green beams used to illustrate the sound coming from the soundbar and various other speakers.
Eclipsa Audio: everything you need to know about Samsung’s new Dolby Atmos rival
Samsung QN990F 8K TV with Rewind logo
A sneak peek at Samsung’s futuristic projector, OLED TV’s next evolution, a new Audiolab stereo amp and more
Sony RGB arrangement with Rewind logo
A sneak peek at Sony's next-gen TV tech, our love letter to hi-fi shops, a high-end amp tested and more
LG C5 on stand with Rewind logo
The LG C5 OLED TV tested, a world first for headphones, new hi-fi speakers and more
Pick Of The Month March 2025 5-star products on grey background
WiiM strikes again, the B&W Zeppelin Pro impresses while Technics' latest turntable earns five-stars
Latest in News
Sony WF-C710N earbuds lined up in different finishes
They’re official! Sony finally takes the wraps off its WF-C710N budget wireless earbuds
A flower on a TV screen with a gem in the middle.
TCL's new Mini LED TV range comes with huge brightness gains, reduced blooming and souped-up sound
Sony WH-1000XM4 on a table with a plant
Some of our favourite-ever five-star wireless headphones have plummeted to nearly half price – £172 off!
RCA Roku TV 24-inch (RK24HF1) small TV
My favourite kitchen TV has dropped to under £100 for Amazon Spring Deal Days
Sony XR-48A90K
Amazon has slashed the price of this five-star Sony OLED, but we have found an even better deal
Fiio FX17 in-ear headphones
Fiio's flagship in-ear headphones are packed full of drivers to put your music in pole position