As someone who fits into the category, I often wonder how accurate the label “digital natives” truly is. Market researchers appear to group all Millennials into this category and employers assume any new hire in their twenties is innately qualified to head social media initiatives.
The accepted distinguisher of who is and isn’t a digital native would therefore appear to be the generation they form part of. In most cases, those born into a world of digital technology do indeed have a greater understanding of digital concepts – but in reality, the qualities that define a digital native have nothing to do with age.
So how do you define a digital native? And did Goldilocks have the right idea? (not the breaking and entering part, just the try all three approach).
This digital native is too little…
Alright, you’re a twenty-something who grew up with computers and the Internet. Google is ingrained in your brain as the only way to research anything and you’ve been on Facebook since college. So, you’re unquestionably labeled a ‘digital native’, right?
Wrong. There are indeed, so-called digital natives that dislike Twitter or tweet mundane updates on the sandwich they just made. These are the same individuals that go straight to IT support rather than trying to restart their computer or fix it themselves. They have adopted Facebook but hardly show interest in exploring other social networks. And of course there are some Millennials that choose not to have a Facebook account at all (shocking, I know). Will they read a book on their e-reader or the tablet with the most hype? No, these people stick to good old-fashioned hard covered books.
And this digital native is too much…
On the opposite end of the spectrum are those that take digital and social media to a level of excess equal to Donald Trump’s wealth. They know the ins and outs of every social network and are always showing off the newest app they just downloaded. At a restaurant? They’ve already uploaded a review on Yelp, checked-in and offered suggestions on Foursquare and spread the word digitally to all their friends. They are a marketers’ dream. However, sometimes living in the digital world distracts one from reality. Five thousand friends on Facebook is great, but how often do you catch up over coffee with any of them? Do you forget to enjoy the party because you’re too busy uploading pictures? Does your date get annoyed because you’re tweeting at dinner? Does all this digital activity really make you an influencer or qualify you as an expert?
Ah, but this digital native is just right!
For me, it all comes down to this – true digital natives are those that understand how to best leverage all the technology that lies at their fingertips, but only adopt what adds value to their day-to-day life.
Whether they leverage tablets for easier consumption on aggregate news via Twitter and RSS feeds, it all centers on ease of consumption, as well as a willingness to share information and learn from others. The best kind of digital native will share links – if they have value – and spread helpful content whether it is through review sites or social networks.
No matter their age, these storybook digital natives will innately gravitate to what is useful to them – and it is that, and not age, that is the key defining factor. Goldilocks learned the same lesson – the best fit is neither too much nor too little.
Tags: Digital Natives, Millennials, Social Media
