Keanu Cesar B.

Villanueva BSOA-1A

Are Today’s Youth, Digital Natives?

With the rapid development of technology, people of the twenty-first century can no
longer imagine their lives without mobile phones, computers, and the Internet. While the adults
had to adapt and get used to the changes, the youth, as the representatives of the new generation,
were born when the technology was already blooming. Some people believe that teenagers are
digital natives, meaning they automatically understand all technological issues. However, other
people argue that being born in the modern era does not guarantee an in-depth knowledge of the
technical side of life. Even though most teenagers actively use the gifts of technology, they are
more naive in certain aspects than adults.

The digital revolution has changed everyone’s lives, transforming how youth perceive
reality. Nowadays, it is surprising to see a young person without a smartphone or other fancy
gadgets. It is even more dramatic if a teenager does not have an account on one of the social
media platforms. Adolescents communicate, find out the latest news, and even study with the
help of technology, making some people label them as digital natives.

Assuming that teenagers are aware of all aspects of digital life can be not simply
damaging but also extremely dangerous. The birth date does not define the youth, meaning they
immediately acquire digital citizenship. Some teenagers may know nothing about the dangers the
Internet is hiding, including spam, viruses, or the liars who might use the teen’s naivety for their
purposes. When parents or teachers mistakenly believe that the children under their care are
digital natives, they endanger them by not informing them of the risks they might face. To
develop a range of specific digital competencies, it is necessary to work hard, constantly improve
skills and gain new knowledge. Adults have a lot to offer, considering the experience they have
already had. It is also essential to warn teenagers about the threats they could encounter,
regardless of age. It might prevent them from getting into situations that could endanger their
computers, information stored on them, and even their lives.

The belief that the youth know all digital intricacies is erroneous since age does not affect
the general understanding of the digital language. The adults should be ready to help them
instead of assuming that their knowledge comes naturally. Doing this will lessen the pressure on
teenagers and contribute to their safety while enriching their learning.