Fill the Gap Report

Tags: Digital Natives
Additional tags: Ict , Youth , Engagement

In 2009 Hivos and the Centre for Internet and Society started a mapping study Digital Natives with a Cause? What we found was that many people see the potential of Youth, ICT and development, but nobody knows exactly who the Digital Natives are and how you can unleash this potential. At Fill the Gap we invited youth in the Netherlands to discuss and respond online (via Twitter) to six statements. Read the summary.

The six statements were an entry into the discussion about youth, ICT and engagement. The responses to each of the statements are summarized below. In the coming months we provide more spaces for digital natives to give their view on youth, ICT and engagement.

1. Are you an apolitical consumer, or do you have ambitions?

The statement did not solicit much response. Being called apolitical consumers didn’t bother them because at times they are consuming and at other times they can have political ambitions, both on- and offline.

2. Are you a little prince or princess, who only wants to talk to like minded people or are you different?

As digital natives grew up with internet they know how to scan information and use only the things they identify with or are interested in. They do not only connect to like minded people, but also meet people that think differently, just like it works offline. Another important aspect is the online social code, the people we’ve talked to recognized it as something you have to learn.

3. Is Wikipedia your bible or do you really know something?

Wikipedia is seen as a great resource but it is only one of many knowledge banks. The popular imagination sees Wikipedia as authoritative. The “proper” use of it is often discussed by teachers. “Teachers are so concerned about plagiarism that when you know something they doubt its yours”. Youth say they know it’s worth; “you don’t believe everything you read online, we trace the source, look at the author and know how to read the information”. Especially in times of overload one encyclopaedia has lots of value, it's just not the only value transparency is key,

4. Are you a digital dinosaur? They say you don’t know anything about ICT!

Older users responded that whether you are a Digital Native or not, depends more on whether you think you are one or not, than your age or number of friends on Facebook!

The Dutch youth said that Twitter is for 40+. Digital natives are not used to Twitter, but do use social networks as Hyves and Facebook. They consider Twitter as a tool for people over 40, digital immigrants. Some think this might have to do with the way Twitter works and consider it more practical for professional purposes than social purposes.

5. Why use the Internet, why don’t you march the streets?

Online and offline are not two separated things, but are integrated aspects of the lives of youth. As far as activism is considered, the youth we’ve spoken to do no see themselves as digital activists. It could be because they are engaging in processes of change that they themselves don't define as such. They do recognize that it’s common for young activists to spread petitions and such through online social networks and email. Social networks are also used to spread opinions, but the most important practical application is still networking, keeping social contacts through the world and making appointments.

It is thought that through internet it’s much easier to mobilize a lot of people for the same cause, also on an international level. That could however also be dangerous, if people are mobilized for the wrong cause.

6. Plans to change the world? What do you need?

Discussions focussed on how to motivate oneself and others to use their energy for change. This was seen as more important then whether tools, resources, and so on where provided to them. It could be even counterproductive if people, especially older ones, where trying to motivate others for change. So it would be more interested in finding out what conditions we can provide to DNs to strengthen their own ideas of change.