We all use technology, but how we use it often gives away more about us than we realise.
From how we send messages to how we treat our phones, there are little habits that speak volumes, especially when it comes to the generation we grew up in. Forget stereotypes—it’s more about the cultural norms we absorbed along the way. Whether you’re a millennial who can’t give up emojis or a Gen Z who lives on voice notes, here are just some of the ways your tech habits hint at the era that shaped you.
1. You still say “www” when reading out a website.
If you find yourself prefacing every URL with “www,” you probably came of age during the dawn of the internet. Back when websites were something you typed out in full and your modem made that unforgettable screeching sound, those three little letters mattered.
Younger generations tend to skip the formality—they just say “go to BBC dot com” and call it a day. However, for those who lived through dial-up, “www” still feels like part of the full experience, even if it’s not necessary anymore.
2. You end texts with full stops (and mean no harm).
Nothing wrong with punctuation, right? But in texting culture, a full stop at the end of a message can read as cold or passive-aggressive—at least to Gen Z. Millennials and Gen Xers, on the other hand, often use them simply out of habit.
It’s not that you’re being short; it’s just how you write. However, to someone younger, that period might feel a bit… final. It’s one of those subtle generational mismatches that still causes the occasional text-based misunderstanding.
3. You make phone calls instead of sending a text.
Baby boomers and older Gen Xers still prefer picking up the phone, especially when something feels important. It’s direct, it’s familiar, and it feels more personal than a written message. However, to younger generations, a random phone call can feel jarring, or even rude.
Gen Z especially sees calls as something you plan or give a heads-up for. If you just ring them out of nowhere, you might as well be showing up at their house uninvited. Different comfort zones, different communication vibes.
4. You treat your email like a to-do list.
Millennials and Gen Xers tend to use email as a serious tool—something to manage, respond to, and clean up regularly. Inbox zero is a goal, and emails are often read like formal letters with greetings and sign-offs.
Gen Z, on the other hand, often sees email as a necessary evil for work or school. It’s not their go-to communication method, and it might sit unchecked for days. If you’re typing out “Kind regards” while they’re DM’ing their boss, that generational divide is showing.
5. You’re loyal to Facebook (even if you say you’re not).
If you scroll Facebook more than you post, and you still get birthday reminders there, you’re probably a Millennial or Gen Xer. Boomers love it for staying in touch, while younger users mostly abandoned it ages ago for newer platforms.
Gen Z uses Facebook only when they have to, usually for joining groups or accessing event info. If they’re posting, it’s rare. Meanwhile, older users still treat it like a digital town square. The algorithm knows exactly who’s who.
6. You Google everything, even things younger people would ask Siri.
Typing out full search queries is second nature to older generations, who came of age before virtual assistants existed. “How long do you roast a chicken for” gets typed into the bar like a polite conversation.
Gen Z? They’re more likely to just say, “Hey Siri, how long to cook chicken?” or even find the answer through a TikTok video. Voice search and shortcuts are second nature to them, while boomers and millennials still treat Google like a trusted friend they write letters to.
7. You double tap photos to like them on every app.
Instagram made the double tap gesture iconic, and it stuck. Millennials, in particular, are wired to double tap photos instinctively. Now, not every platform works that way, and Gen Z has adapted faster.
If you find yourself double tapping a TikTok video, only to realise that’s not how you like it, welcome to the generational slip-up. Gen Z is all about knowing each app’s rhythm. Meanwhile, older users tend to apply one method to all of them.
8. You use emojis that have totally changed meaning.
That laughing-crying face? Millennials love it. Gen Z? They see it as outdated and kind of cringe. Instead, they’ve embraced the skull emoji (“I’m dead”) to express laughter, or just stick with keyboard smashes and ironic text.
It’s not about right or wrong; it’s just evolution. Emojis age like fashion, and the way each generation uses them says a lot about their humour, tone, and sense of irony. Use what feels right, but know the emoji culture is constantly shifting.
9. You still rely on a laptop for most things.
Source: Unsplash Millennials, Gen Xers, and boomers are still loyal to their laptops. Whether it’s writing, shopping, or browsing, the laptop is the go-to tool. It feels practical, controlled, and a little more “official.”
Meanwhile, Gen Z does everything on their phone. They’ll write essays, edit videos, do entire projects, all from a small screen. If you’re pulling out a MacBook for something they’d tap out in Notes, that says a lot about how your tech habits were formed.
10. You still prefer paper in some form.
If you’ve got a calendar on the wall, a notepad by the phone, or a paper list for groceries, you’re not alone. Older generations tend to blend digital with tactile because handwriting things still feels solid and satisfying.
Gen Z? They keep their entire life in the Notes app or synced to the cloud. The idea of needing a physical calendar might seem cute or nostalgic to them, but it’s not how they function. If it’s not digital, it’s almost invisible.
11. You take photos with a plan to keep them.
Older generations take photos with intention—holidays, family gatherings, milestones. They’re sorted into folders or printed into albums. Gen Z? They’ll snap twenty blurry photos in two minutes, post one to a Story, and delete the rest by the end of the day.
Photos used to be memories. Now they’re also just content. That change in mindset says a lot about how each generation interacts with technology, and how fleeting or permanent their digital footprint feels.
12. You still worry about “using up data.”
Anyone who remembers rationing their mobile data or watching the little counter tick away probably still has a bit of digital scarcity mindset. Watching videos without Wi-Fi feels indulgent. Downloading big files? Something to plan for.
Meanwhile, younger generations have grown up with unlimited plans, cloud storage, and fast connections. They stream, download, and share freely. That lingering caution about using too much data is a sure sign you remember when 1GB had to last the whole month.
