Too many subscriptions, worse products, AI, 'hurtful' algorithms, 'spy' devices: nearly half of Gen Z want to live in the past due to the trappings
of modern tech

Date:
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Description:
In a new NBC News survey 47% of those aged 18-29 say they would rather be living in the past.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter A new NBC News survey reveals a nostalgia for the past 47% of respondents want to go back to previous years Dissatisfaction with modern tech and apps is a major driver Dissatisfaction with modern technology and its trappings including AI, subscriptions, data tracking , and algorithm-driven apps is having an impact, with nearly half of Gen Z adults in the US (aged 18-29) would rather live in the past than the present day.

This is from an NBC News survey of 3,009 people in the Gen Z bracket, who
were quizzed on issues covering climate change and gun policy to personal finances and religion. The data showed 14% wanting to live 50 or more years
in the past, with 33% percent keen to live less than 50 years in the past, given the choice. In contrast, 38% were happy living in the present, 5%
wanted to live less than 50 years into the future, and 10% wanted to live 50 or more years in the future. While the survey itself didn't cover tech in any great depth, some of the respondents NBC News spoke to individually highlighted tech issues as reasons for wanting to travel back in time.
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These respondents mentioned the ubiquity of smartphones, the lack of
"personal experience", and social media as some of the downsides of modern tech, while one survey participant bemoaned "so, so much internet" and all
the "bullcrap" that goes along with it as a reason for wanting to roll back the years. 'Nostalgic for the past' Discomfort with modern technology shapes Gen Z's desire to live in the past from r/technology NBC News also spoke to nostalgia researcher and existential psychologist Clay Routledge, who pointed to a feeling of being controlled by phones and technology as a driving force behind a feeling of being "more nostalgic for the past".

Further reactions to the survey on Reddit included a host of extra
complaints: constant subscriptions, products that are worse and don't last as long, spying on users, "hurtful algorithms", tech addiction, advertising, and AI all get cited, alongside nostalgia for tech that was simpler to operate
and easier to repair.

However, it's notable that most people don't want to go too far back: the 1990s and early 2000s seems to be the sweet spot, when advances in technology still seemed exciting and beneficial to the human race in general. For reference, the first iPod launched in 2001, and we got the first iPhone in 2007. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

One of the tech topics that was included in the survey was AI, and opinion on it was quite evenly divided: around half the respondents were "anxious" or "concerned" about AI, particularly in terms of what it might mean for their careers, with the rest of the respondents either "not worried" or "optimistic". Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred
source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/tech/too-many-subscriptions-worse-products-ai-hurtfu l-algorithms-spy-devices-nearly-half-of-gen-z-want-to-live-in-the-past-due-to- the-trappings-of-modern-tech


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