When technology fails us, frustration usually comes first, but forgiveness often follows. New research from the Ben-Gurion University examines how users respond emotionally when devices fail, revealing that technology is increasingly treated not as a tool, but as a companion.

Focus groups with young adults revealed that users describe failures in personal terms, such as feeling betrayed by a computer or let down by an app. Reactions varied: some weighed benefits against the damage, others blamed human error, and many accepted flaws as part of modern life. Familiarity with technology also influenced reactions, with confident users more likely to forgive than sceptics.