Re: The myth of what digital natives know

bernhoft — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:39 -0000

Dear Rex,

The phrase "Digital Native" may imply a level of technological savviness among a specific age group, but it does not imply a specific habit or behavior set, in any form or fashion.

Your blog post represents a common thread among aging boomers, "curmudginness". As your traditional values are being swept under the rug like the dust they have gathered you are beginning to panic. While it is understandable that you would feel this way, I felt it appropriate to make several observations about your main points in this post.

1. "Most web users of a young age that should make them so-called “digital natives” aren’t doing any of these activities, themselves." You are correct in saying that most Digital Natives are not engaged in these activities, but you are mistaken when you say that it disproves their value to you. Digital Natives have little catching up to do, your cohort does. These are training activities, sort of like diapers, for you and your friends. Start slowly and build on it.

2. "I believe so-called digital natives are becoming what I’ve termed “neo-traditionalists” as they are comfortably entrenching themselves into a set of digital tools and patterns — and are as reluctant as people of any age to break free from their comfort zone." This is true for any generation or group of people. You are beginning to have either selective memory or side affects of your late years.

3. "But way too many kids use digital technology the way people of my generation used television, radio and telephones: for uninspiring time-wasting diversion." Firstly, define a waste of time and secondly, says who; you? If you are capable of making judgments of such a degree and caste then you should be willing to accept your unhealthy relationship to this darn blog the same thing.

Re: The myth of what digital natives know

Rex Hammock — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:32:40 -0000

Thanks. I think I'll track down some that research so I can base my random theories on something more than my personal observations and a tendency to question conventional wisdom that does not sync with what I observe over-and-over.

Re: The myth of what digital natives know

jonathankochis — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:21:11 -0000

There's a ton of research out their that supports the difficulty 'digital natives' have using the web specifically. Underdeveloped reading skills, poor research abilities, and a short attention span all contribute to this. The slow adoption of services such as Twitter by this generation backs your notion that kids of high-school and college age get stuck on a few tools or communities (namely the ones where their friends are) and don't 'aspire to master other digital gifts.' Great post.

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