In a world increasingly shaped by technology, it’s vital that every generation has a voice in shaping the digital landscape. In a recent episode of the Digital Dominoes podcast, Angeline spoke with Lindsay Gross, a senior at Duke University with extensive experience in public policy, digital intelligence, and ethical technology usage. Together, they explored the challenges and opportunities for Generation Z in navigating and influencing the digital world.
Understanding the Digital Landscape
Lindsay articulated the challenges faced by younger generations in tech, emphasizing the lack of guidelines for corporations and voluntary ethical commitments that often sideline the youth. These organizations sometimes collaborate in ways that could influence voters across all age groups, yet young people are frequently misrepresented, blamed, or unheard in dialogues about these concerns.
Bridging Generational Gaps
A significant part of the conversation touched on the divide between different generations’ understanding of technology. The older generation may sometimes view young people as reckless in their online behavior, yet Lindsay pointed out that it’s often adults leading child safety programs without consulting the actual needs and experiences of younger people.
Angeline and Lindsay discussed the necessity of two-way communication between age groups, emphasizing that both sides have much to learn from each other. Young people, as digital natives, might have nuanced insights into technology that older generations lack, while experienced professionals can offer wisdom garnered over years of work in the tech industry.
The Role of AI in Our Lives
AI is an omnipresent force, sometimes operating invisibly to make decisions affecting our lives. The integration of AI into university admissions, job applications, and even healthcare illustrates its far-reaching influence. Lindsay expressed concern about the ethical side of AI, comparing its integration in daily life to using a calculator—a necessary tool that, if misunderstood, might lead to inequities.
Encouraging Collaboration and Representation
Angeline and Lindsay agreed that achieving better safety and experience online requires input from all ages. They critiqued events like the Google Summit on Growing Up in the Digital Age, which often fail to include voices from those actually experiencing these issues—the youth themselves.
Conclusion: Working Across Generations
The conversation concluded on a hopeful note, emphasizing the need for genuine collaboration across generations when creating digital policies and environments. Going beyond token inclusion to ensure meaningful participation from those directly affected, like young and diverse voices, is crucial to fostering a digitally inclusive future.
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