Analog Youths versus Digital Youths: The Supposed Easiest Now Turned Craziest. Why... Which Way Forward?- Engr. Ubong Idemudo, Chairman Board of Trustees APC-PYR.
Presented by: *ENGR. UBONG IDEMUDO*
On the event of inauguration of Ondo State Chapter of the APC- Progressive Youths Resolution (APC-PYR) on the 30th day of March, 2024.
_Protocols_:
I am very delighted to be in your midst today to speak on the topic: *"Analog Youths versus Digital Youths: The Supposed Easiest Now Turned Craziest. Why... Which Way Forward?"*
The topic of my presentation is such that it's both fascinating and fundamental. It is fascinating because it x-rays in a nutshell the significant shift in the perception and attitudes of successive generations of our youthful population. It is fundamental because it touches an issue that is at the core of the mandate of Progressive Youths Resolution (PYR), which is: the wellbeing and progress of Nigerian youths.
There is no doubt that we are in the digital age as the signs are everywhere. From the prevalence of the use of the internet and social media for research, information and communication, the role of fintech in financial services delivery to entertainment and sports, the global marketplace has become massively digitalised leaving no one in doubt as to the seal of the digital age on our today's world. These would count as the positives of digital technology.
On the flip side, day-in-day-out we read stories of internet fraud, popularly known as yahoo-yahoo, cybercrimes and other organised malfeasance like stalking, trolling, cloning, and so on enabled by digital technology. In many cases, these activities mostly carried out by youths, leave a negative footprint on targeted individuals or groups, threatens economic growth and sustainability, and sometimes compromise national security. These activities sabotage genuine efforts at nation building. This should not be the lot of our youths who are best suited to drive social change in a most positive way.
At this juncture, let us pause a bit and ponder on the basic terms that characterise our proposition before we proceed.
Firstly to be considered is the term, 'analog youths'. 'Analogue youths' is used in this context to refer to those who grew up in a time before widespread digital technology. We could refer to them as pre-digital.
On the other hand, the term 'digital youths' refers to those who have been born into or been immersed in digital technology from a young age.
Now, why is the supposed easiest now turned craziest? It is because while digital technology has provided us with incredible opportunities and conveniences, it has also brought about unique challenges and pressures. The constant connectivity, social media influence, and culture of instant gratification could lead to increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy among digital youths.
Thus, the digital age has tended to escalate mental health concerns among youths, and this int turn portends much social instability.
Addiction to technology is another bane of digital technology among youths as we can see many young people usually glued to their devices at the expense of the development of social or human relational skills. Thus the virtual space has become a phoney abode and a place of solitary refuge for many youths who could have applied their abilities to more gainful enterprises.
But why is this happening? It's essential to recognize that technology itself is not inherently good or bad; it is how we use it that matters. The rapid pace of technological advancement has outpaced our ability to adapt and fully understand its implications. As a result, digital youths are navigating uncharted territory with little guidance on how to manage their digital lives effectively. They need proper guidance and management to bring out the best in them in their use of the digital space.
So, which way forward? The key is finding a balance between the analog and digital worlds. Embracing the positive aspects of technology while also prioritizing real-world connections, self-care, and digital well-being is a must do.
Moving forward, we need to think and act in terms of using technology as a tool for empowerment rather than letting it control our lives.
The essence of digitisation is to make life easier and more convenient. There is therefore a felt need to figure out the adverse effects of digital technology among youths in order to nib them in the bud.
In conclusion, youths are the lifewire of any nation and their primacy of place in social change cannot be overlooked. They are critical stakeholders in the all facets of nation building. The quality of our youthful population is directly proportional to the quality of leadership in the near future.
The analog youths versus digital youths proposition is not about one being better than the other; it is about understanding the challenges each group faces and working together to create a healthier digital future.
May we learn to harness the power of technology while staying grounded in the values that truly matter to us as progressives.
Thank you all for listening.
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