Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds. I am usually a huge SciFi fan, but I like the genre for it's ability to reflect on humanity by extrapolating on current technologies/trends or comparing our culture to unique alien ones.
Revelation Space was technobabble and descriptions of weapons for pages upon pages, and it was totally devoid of any philosophy or reflection on humanity. I never DNF a book, but this one I almost gave up on.
Danish libraries provide an online streaming service, where you can watch 2-3 movies a month for free. It's awesome! They even had Everything Everywhere All At Once before any other streaming service here.
My country is the opposite. It's pretty much impossible to travel 150km and accumulate more than 8500 height meters. (highest point is 170 meters, and it's a loooong walk to get there).
Mandated is the wrong word. "Required for absolutely everything" is more precise. In Denmark you need an app called "MitID" to do any kind of digital verification. You can't do online purchases, banking or digital bureaucracy without it.
I actually teach teenagers programming and 3D modelling. The past 5 years has been the first decline in tech literacy I've ever experienced between generations. My personal theory is that only the gamers actually have computers at home now. Everyone else only use their smartphones, and that only gives a negligible increase in tech literacy compared to using a computer.
I feel you. Sorry you had to go through that experience.