Five Healthy Habits for the Next Digital Generation

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Trying to make my senior secondary students explore the pleasures of Silas Marner, a sophisticated story about the art of religion and industrialization, I was pretty disappointed. No matter how hard I attempted to transform them to that world of strong realism, my students sat as rigid as if they were chiseled from stone. They told me they could have enjoyed it had it been on the silver screen. A few days later, I was addressing a group of parents and teachers about how to deal with children who have learning disabilities. After the session, a few parents crowded around me with their feedback. I found it amusing when one of the parents told me he found the session lively and interesting since I hadn’t used any digital devices. He said that digital boards and such aids interfered with the effective delivery of the sessions by widening the gap between the resource person and the audience.

If you put the students and parents side by side, the parents would be able to make out the powerful impact the digital world exercises on the present school generation. Moving letters and colorful screens are their world. In direct contrast, the so-called “old generation” is still stoical about the use of digital media. The digital world fails to attract them as powerfully as it attracts youngsters.

In 1992 when the Indian government undertook mass computerization, many objected on the grounds that it would cause job opportunities to dwindle. Social activists had anticipated that the Indian economy wouldn’t withstand such a move. Regardless of the initial apathy, Indians accepted the digital era that had been ushered in.

Ushering in the digital era has created a period of knowledge explosion, globalization, artificial intelligence, multitasking, and facilitating better social, economic, and social standards. It also demands a diligent, sedulous approach to the world that is exclusively dependent on button clicks and touch screens. Though the plethora of changes cannot be resisted, the gradual transition from the existing to the anticipated requires time and perhaps guidelines, too.

  1. Make maximum use of the digital era.

The world is becoming increasingly complex, and people are becoming better at analyzing it instead of just thinking in terms of what’s useful for their survival. Thanks goes to the astonishing findings on digital devices. Gone are the days when students painstakingly ransacked the bookshelves of the libraries and availed themselves of the required details after a long search. The digital world enables people to undertake self-paced learning and experiment-based projects. Net banking, e-books, etc., are real blessings for the present generation. A prodigy will undoubtedly exploit the world open to him or her to the core.

  1. Learn to use the digital world discreetly.

Digital devices ensnare their users. Overdependence tampers industriousness of the generation. They feel lethargic, and tech fatigue sets in. They fail to stay motivated. Mental health should be a lifetime commitment, and the digital generation will have to strive harder to attain this. Indiscreet use leads to multiple years of insobriety, anxiety, depression, and depersonalization.

  1. Don’t misuse the freedom.

The digital world ensures a lot of freedom facilitated by access to information. This has to be used proactively and responsibly. Those who fail to demarcate ethics and disgrace may overdo the freedom that it offers. Problems like hacking, pornography, etc., are the result of the misuse of freedom. Setting up strict moral standards on a personal basis will solve this.

  1. Don’t ignore social accountability.

Digital devices serve humanity most faithfully and loyally. When men interact constantly with machines that obey them silently, they turn aggressive and intolerant. They acquire poor social skills and forgo the feeling of social accountability. Better chances of socialization will serve as a remedy.

  1. Never turn complacent; be explorative.

The present generation is often considered as unmotivated and irresponsible, while the old are considered hardworking and sensible. Whether the digital world can be held responsible for this is a hot-button issue. Humans have theory-based actions opposed to animals who have instinct-based actions. Dependence on machines has changed human psychology. The so-called “dumb” generation must be more explorative and show the spirit of power and vitality.

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