Younger generations still use technology the most
The use of social media and computers for interactive, entertainment and professional purposes explain why Generation Z is the most technologically active demographic.
Gabriel Philipsen - Mar. 16, 2022
Blacksburg, Va., Mar. 2 - Screens: Erik Robbins poses in front of his desk, which is littered with display screens and electronic devices. Photo: Gabriel Philipsen
Today's young adults grew up in an interconnected, technological world and their familiarity with tech results in them engaging with it substantially.
"Younger generations are the digital natives, they’re the ones who have grown up with social media," said Brandi Watkins, associate professor at the Virginia Tech School of Communication.
The young adults and teenagers of Generation Z have had access to the fruits of the technological revolution since infancy, and while older generations of people also using technology, it is not to the extent that teenagers and university-enrolled students are.
According to the Pew Research Center, 84% of people aged 18-29 use at least 1 social media site, compared to 81% for ages 30-49, 73% ages 50-64 and only 45% for those 65 and older.
The widespread usage of social media platforms allows for easy access to information, and a low barrier of entry for interactivity and creating content. With smartphones and portable computers, the ability to check a social feed is almost instantaneous.
"I think young people gravitate to social media because it allows them to communicate in a way that they like, and the ubiquity of mobile devices facilitates that," said Cayce Myers, director of graduate studies at Virginia Tech's School of Communication.
However, social media usage is not the sole reason why technology is so prevalent among young people and society. Old methods of mass communication like watching video, gaming and music listening are now primarily done on electronic devices. Plus, people still use technology for uses that do not require an internet connection.
"I use technology all the time, so it’s probably more of what technology I’m using at any given time rather than how often I use certain technology or for how long," said Erik Robbins, a Computer Science student at Virginia Tech.
However with young people accepting technology into their lives, the dangers that come with tech still remain. For example, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is a bipartisan political issue with regards to how companies are held liable for material on their platforms. Not to mention the well-documented problems with depression stemming from viewing content online.
"There’s going to be isolation, there’s going to be issues of body acceptance and self-esteem, issues with cyberbullying," Watkins said. "But there’s also good to it too, and when we start to stray too far into the 'social media is all good' and 'social media is all bad', we get into trouble."
Young people are unlikely to drop their connection with social media, technology and the benefits it brings. As the advances in technology and telecommunications continue to improve, one can hope that the next generation will know how to balance the positives and negatives of technology.
AUDIO REPORT: MARCH 16, 2022.
