2010's? Dude, I'm still in the 80's. I'm not some GenZ tiktok child who can't be with a screen for 10 seconds and thinks everything needs to be gamified. This dependency on phones is stupid. So I refuse to participate. The more people that do so, the less this BS takes over life. We're responsible for the world we live in.
Where I live in Europe the phone is used to charge transport cards, to pay at stores, to interact with banks and government, etc. Because of two factor authentication it's basically a necessity to have one for banking and certain government transactions (some of which can only be done online). I could carry around a laptop for work and business but it's far more convenient to use a smaller device.
For a month I traveled from Seville to Munich in 2019 and didn't need my phone at all. I bought food, tickets, took transit, etc. What I did NOT do was open a bank account.
So do these banks issue you a phone if you don't have one? Does the government have a law that requires citizens to own a phone? What brand? What capabilities.
There are online-only banks in the US that are only accessed through a phone, but they are not the ONLY banks.
I think you are confusing a world that CAN be accessed vs. a world that MUST be accessed via phone.
My banking and bill paying is basically online only. It's not obligatory but it's far, far more convenient online.
Debit cards still exist but they are being phased out slowly in favor of NFC.
To board transport I can still use a card but recharging it is easier via an app than by standing in line at a machine where I'd have to pay with a card or cash.
At work we often communicate via group chats. It's quicker and less intrusive than phoning or emailing. I don't love it but I'm accustomed.
To pay taxes or fines to report to the city that a tree branch fell to consult my property tax info or medical records or to get an appointment for minor surgery - it's all easiest or only possible online.
Online means via app on phone generally. Most of us don't carry around anything more expensive than a 150 euro Chinese phone.
> My banking and bill paying is basically online only. It's not obligatory but it's far, far more convenient online.
So, not a necessity.
> Debit cards still exist but they are being phased out slowly in favor of NFC.
Not a necessity (and I expect by "phased out" you mean you see them less).
> To board transport I can still use a card but recharging it is easier via an app than by standing in line at a machine where I'd have to pay with a card or cash.
Not a necessity.
> At work we often communicate via group chats. It's quicker and less intrusive than phoning or emailing. I don't love it but I'm accustomed.
I assume you have a work device and this is during work hours? If so, not a necessity.
> To pay taxes or fines to report to the city that a tree branch fell to consult my property tax info or medical records or to get an appointment for minor surgery - it's all easiest or only possible online.
Easiest = not a necessity.
You've just detailed things that _you_ find more convenient to do on your phone and that you are able (and encouraged) to do. But not one of them appears to require a phone, or - outside of your specific job - even internet.
