In today’s digital landscape monopolized by talk of bans rather than benefits, I’m happy to see that Google’s Future Report, conducted with more than 7,000 teens, brings us a more encouraging, forward-looking view of young people’s digital experiences and aspirations.
The participating teens, from seven different EU countries and broadly varying backgrounds, see the internet not just as a means of learning, connection and entertainment, but also as a way to explore other cultures and perspectives, and find different approaches to going about tasks.
This openness, flexibility and thirst to explore cultural and other forms of diversity are important areas where digital citizens need to build their competence to tolerate the ever-increasing complexity of today’s society. Plus, it helps them participate knowledgeably and meaningfully in the broader world of today and tomorrow.
It’s satisfying to see that the study participants place focus on trustworthiness, and show an appreciative level of critical thinking in the range of strategies they deploy to check the credibility of information. Surprisingly, they don’t seem to be particularly bothered by algorithms, seeing them rather as a means of opening to diversity through the new things they discover when content is proposed to them.
Although 40% of participants say they use AI almost daily, a majority for problem solving and creative activities, they seem to be aware that AI can be misleading, and wish their teachers were better equipped in terms of knowledge and digital literacy skills to help them use AI more effectively and creatively. The findings highlight the digital literacy gap that seemingly exists between different income groups, and this is an issue that needs to be addressed to ensure that all students have an equitable chance to benefit from the opportunities that society presents.
It is interesting to see that these young participants underline the shared responsibility of society to help them become effective, safe digital citizens able to balance online and offline activity in a healthy way. They want to keep the communication channels open with their parents, and see the value of parental controls as a means to support balanced, age-appropriate online activity. This nevertheless implies a greater effort from society for parents to be sufficiently informed and able to take on this role.
The Future Report will prove useful for educators and families grappling with digital challenges, as it provides an insightful snapshot of how young people are currently engaging with the online world, the support they feel they need at home and at school, and what they expect from tech companies and policy makers to explore the opportunities and exploit the benefits of digital technology.
The intriguing grouping of user types described in the study will resonate with educators, who have to take into account very different tech-usage styles to be found in every group of learners. The recommendations voiced in the study align closely with what other young people are saying across Europe: everyone should benefit equitably from the digital transformation, and it’s the shared responsibility of society to educate parents and teachers, make safety and privacy by design a reality, and set policy makers on the right path to make this happen.
