The Current Are baby boomers addicted to their phones?
Mar 26, 2026
Nicole Dalmer, McMaster professor who studies aging and tech; Matthew Cira, son sharing family perspective; Sherry Bagnato, retired communications worker describing her phone habits. They discuss daily phone routines, family friction over doomscrolling, phones as safety tools, stereotypes about older adults and technology, and risks like scams alongside benefits for connection and cognition.
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Mother And Son Role Reversal Over Phone Use
- Sherry Bagnato describes daily phone habits that fill her post-work hours and replace activities she once did while employed.
- Her son Matthew Cira complains about waiting for her because she 'just a minute' scrolls, illustrating family role-reversal over device use.
Older Adults' Phone Use Is An Extension Of Lifelong Tech Exposure
- Nicole Dalmer notes older adults today have long histories with workplace technologies, making smartphone use a natural extension into retirement.
- She ties rising usage to structural needs like banking and government forms moving online, not just personal preference.
Screen Time Raises Scam And Misinformation Risks
- Dalmer expresses concern that increased screen time may raise vulnerability to scams and misinformation among older adults.
- She notes current older cohorts are more likely to spread misinformation and fall for scams, prompting digital literacy questions for future cohorts.