The key concept they're missing a lot of the time is that software sits within the file system and not the other way around.
This is largely because apps hide this and data is generally stored in one place on your phone (the downloads folder).
Best way to fix it - have 1--2 lessons entirely devoted to finding shit on their computer. My favourite activity is "ok, save your word file, close word, you now have 10 mins to find that file without opening word".
Farts unhappily
The paradigm has changed. The rift between PC and smart phone. Is it really a surprise? My 18yr step kid can at least type on a keyboard with proficiency. Beyond that and installing games in steam, he's lost outside of that. Both I and his mom work in IT. We try to shore up the gaps, but it seems the 'kid' actively refuses to learn.
I've stopped talking to Zoomers about tech completely. If I try to help, I end up confusing them more, and I don't like to simply solve shit for them because then they start bugging me for every single thing. (I'm also technically a Zoomer, but barely.)
And which generation are you from @agraybee the forgotten generation huh?
Nihilism destroyer
Yep, that's Gen X for sure.