Reading: Week 1
Digital Na(t)ives? Variation in Internet Skills and
Uses among Members of the ‘‘Net Generation’’
This week we read Hargittai's piece on the "net generation'. Hargittai's argument is that we shouldn't assume that all members of the youth "net generation" are proficient at all forms of technology. Studies show that everyone's skill level differs depending on their parental education, gender and race (109). One of the most eye opening points for me was the fact that not everyone my age (20's) is tech savvy. It's very rare that I meet someone who doesn't have at least a medium level of proficiency when it comes to internet use knowledge, or general computer knowledge. I consider myself pretty tech savvy. I can generally pick up most pieces of technology, hardware or software wise, and know how it generally operates. However through this class I have realized that there are those who do not know how to use applications, like Prezi, or Google Hangout, which to me are natural. Through Hargittai's article and this experience in class I have come to realize that's it's not that people are predisposed to technology just because they were born in the "net generation" but rather that their skill level is reflective of the comfort level with technology. I'm more comfortable with computers because I grew up around them, my dad is a tech wiz and has been working on computers for most of his adult life; this isn't the case for others. Some people are more comfortable around machinery like cars and farm equipment, something I know nothing about.
My own predisposition to technology helps me to understand Hargittai's points about how your parent's education level and your economic status give a person more opportunities to interact with technology. My parent's are both highly educated. They've always known how to interact with technology, my father has more skills than my mother but they both know how to use basic technology like computers, smartphones, and tablets. We're also fairly well off economically, so I've always had access to the most recent technological improvements. These are vital parts of the explanation of my own abilities. With these advantages I can understand Hargittai's conclusion that those without these benefits would have less chance of being connected.
My own predisposition to technology helps me to understand Hargittai's points about how your parent's education level and your economic status give a person more opportunities to interact with technology. My parent's are both highly educated. They've always known how to interact with technology, my father has more skills than my mother but they both know how to use basic technology like computers, smartphones, and tablets. We're also fairly well off economically, so I've always had access to the most recent technological improvements. These are vital parts of the explanation of my own abilities. With these advantages I can understand Hargittai's conclusion that those without these benefits would have less chance of being connected.