May--Grown+Up+Digital+Chapters+10+&+11

“Grown Up Digital” Chapters 10 and 11 Chapter 10 The heart of this chapter is that “ordinary citizens can make change without convincing the power structures to move” (p. 274). The digital generation cares about social issues and now has powerful tools to change power structures. These tools are affordable, entertaining, and global. These tools can inform, engage, and mobilize. This generation values team spirit and community-mindedness. This value system has influenced not only the popularity of social networking sites but also an increase in volunteerism. On page 280, Tapscott questions and responds, “Does the generation influence the technology, or is it the other way around? I think it’s a two-way street.” I think that this generation is developing because of social changes and these changes are being driven by the digital generation’s desire to use technology in new ways. Chapter 11 Tapscott argues in defense of the digital generation and their ability to shape the future and the struggles facing the digital generation. He argues that the digital generation is not the dumbest generation because online activity is intellectually challenging. Online activity requires users to read, write, and evaluate material. (He suggests that the increase in IQ scores may be a result of digital content.) The net generation has grown up in a family structure that promotes democracy. This, coupled with the growing debts of recent college graduates, is why many of the net generation have moved back into their parents’ home. Some argue that this supports that the digital generation lacks independence, but Tapscott suggests otherwise. Tapscott believes that the apparent increase in bullying is actually a result that digital bullying is more visible and those in authority are addressing the issue head-on. Technology provides a digital record that can be used to combat bullying.