Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants

It is safe to say that every one that could be reading this blog is a digital native. Digital natives are people who were born during or after the major developments of technology. Digital natives are younger people who incorporate technology into every day life, they believe in sharing things online with friends and colleagues, and often times doubt traditional beliefs. Digital natives would be the group that I fit into, along with all of my friends. Digital natives tend to use computer technology all the time, life usually revolving around technology. The other extreme is digital immigrants, which includes generations who were born before the digital technology boom.

            There are some obvious differences in digital natives and digital immigrants such as the generation they were born in, but there is much more to it. The difference in worldviews, thought process, and everyday attitudes are different. Digital natives are more impatient because they are use to having all of the information they could ever need at the touch of a button. With the internet being as accessible as it is, the thought of digital natives getting through a college level course without technology and the worldwide wide is a threatening idea.

            Although there are of course come positives that come with being digital natives. Natives are generally more inclined to accept new ideas and accept people who are a little bit different then themselves. Also it is thought that digital natives do a better job working in collaboration with others because they are so use to doing so online. Digital natives are also known for being stats driven, because numbers are so easily accessible.

            Digital immigrants are a little behind the eight ball when it comes to technology, which is not surprising. My dad for example works in a technology driven career but still needs help with little things such as organizing his iTunes library and deciding what appropriate things to tweet are. Although there is a difference I have noticed just from being around my parents and friend’s parents, they are much more comfortable with face-to-face confrontation. For example if someone has a problem they are more likely to talk to that person. Now a days people that are born in the digital age, are more likely to confront someone via text message, or if they are brave by a phone call. I think that is the main thing that I respect regarding technology and the digital immigrants.

            There are some obvious differences between those who have used technology since they were young, and while they were growing up and those who have learned to adapt to the changing world of technology. There are some desirable traits that come with being both a digital native, and a digital immigrant and the way that they view the world differently is the most surprising.