It's not that they don't know about it, it's that they opt to selectively use it. The largest reason to avoid tech is because it removes from family values that they hold dear. This is why, when they go home, they probably don't bring their cell phone into the house.

Err... Many of them have a phone house, though some use a privy. They leave their phone in there, be it landline or mobile.

In fact, one of my most bizarre experiences was spending a year or two regularly conversing with a couple of Amish people. Why was that strange? It was on IRC. They were both away at college and, during that time, made free use of certain tech, because it didn't diminish their concept of family.

Unbeknownst to you, this goes both ways.

And yet most people would consider monks fairly wise.

I think there's something incredibly valuable to that perspective.