Digital Natives

What is a Digital Native? How do they differ from Non-Digital Natives or ‘Digital Immigrants’? What impact will this generation have upon society of the future? and how might society adapt to the new, more technologically advanced generations?

What is a Digital Native?

Digital Natives are outlined as “Digital Natives – People who have been raised on the Internet since late 1990 – will relate to the internet in markedly different ways than do most of today’s adults. Members of these web-savvy ‘Net generations’ will tend to view the Internet as an extender of their own cognitive capabilities and as a portal to a virtual experience.” (Chaffey, 2012) (Rueda-Sabater, Derosby, 2011).

What is a Digital Immigrant or Non-Digital Native?

The definition according to the Oxford University Press: (Noun) “A person born or brought up before the widespread use of Digital Technology: Chances are many Digital Immigrants will find managing online privacy a daunting prospect”. (Oxford University Press, 2013).

Digital Natives from infancy have been exposed to a huge spectrum of technology and technological advancements. Starting with the earliest Personal Computers with Black and Green screens (1990’s), Landline Telephones, Cassette Players/’Ghetto Blasters’, Walkmans and Video Players. Progressing onto Compact Disk Players, Mini Disk Players, MP3 Players, higher resolution Computers, Laptops and ‘Brick’ size and shaped mobile phones.

As we have progressed through the 90’s, 00’s and are now well into 2013 – Technological devices are becoming more advanced everyday. They are ever increasing in memory; and yet decreasing in physical size!

The way in which Digital Natives think, learn, adapt to technology and interact on a social level; may be potentially different in contrast to Non-Digital Natives. Thought processes, cognitive behavior and methods of social interaction; may differ also.

For example; Their is no more requirement for Blackboards or Typewriters in Modern Day Education. Todays learning is largely achieved via the Internet, Email/Websites, Information Portals and Social Media. Devices like White Boards, Projectors, Multimedia/MP4 Recording, Computers, Tablets and Smartphones are now starting to replace the traditional use of Pen and Paper.

How will Digital Natives and Advancing Technology impact upon Society in the future?

An excellent example of this is shown via Channel 4’s Television Mini Series ‘Black Mirror‘. These programs outline how advancing technology, social media and popular culture may impact upon modern society. The episode ‘Fifteen Million Merits‘ is an excellent representation of what the future may hold for society.

See IMDB (International Movie Database) Link here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2089049/

Channel 4’s Black Mirror outlined overall on IMBD: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2085059/

View the episode here via YouTube 4OD:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vsYnaqpIpE

Ultimately, How are Advancing Technologies, Media and ‘naturally adapted’ Digital Natives going to progress in the future? What impact will this have upon Digital Marketing, Advertising and Social Media? Will society as a whole become bored of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter? and progress onto more Interactive and Engaging online methods of Social Interaction?

Digital Natives – Will society as a whole become bored of Social Media Platforms like Facebook and Twitter? and progress onto more interactive and engaging online methods of Social Interaction?