The Myth of the “Digital Native”
In 2001, Marc Prensky introduced the term digital natives to describe the generations that grew up immersed in digital tech. He contrasted them with digital immigrants—older generations who had to learn digital skills later in life. He said young people, having been raised in a digital world, naturally think and communicate differently.
It’s a catchy phrase, but as the dust settles 24 years later, does the concept hold up?
Prensky was right in that young people today do experience the world differently than those who grew up before the internet. Sure! Many children and teenagers interact with screens from an early age, and for them, digital communication is a given part of their life. He was also responding to the real frustration that teachers struggled to connect with young people who seemed distracted, disengaged, or impatient with conventional teaching methods. By highlighting the generational shift, he pushed for a reconsideration of how we approach learning in a digital age. This remains a hugely valuable contribution to working with young people today.
That said, there are some issues that are worth highlighting, which I think should cause us to stop using the term to describe young people today.
The Problems with the Digital Natives Idea
1. Digital Proficiency Isn’t Automatic
The digital natives idea assumes young people are naturally skilled in all aspects of digital life. They’re not! Being fluent in social media, gaming, or streaming doesn’t mean someone knows how to fact-check information, protect their privacy, or use any number of digital tools well. Many young people struggle with basic digital literacy, such as distinguishing between credible and unreliable sources, and safeguarding their identities online.
2. The Digital Divide Still Exists
Not all young people have equal access to tech. Socioeconomic factors play a huge role in shaping digital proficiency. Some young people grow up with high-speed internet, state of the art tech, and even coding classes, while others have limited access to digital tools. The digital natives label assumes a level playing field that simply doesn’t exist.
3. Older Generations Can Be Just as Skilled
The idea of a strict generational divid is misleading. Many “digital immigrants” have adapted seamlessly to technology, while plenty of younger people need help with basic digital skills. Imagine if we called people born after the invention of TV television natives and assumed they instinctively understood how television worked—how to produce content, adjust signals, or critique media messaging. Television is used across generations, but in different ways. Mere exposure doesn’t guarantee deep understanding or skill.
4. It Misunderstands Learning and Cognition
While digital tools shape habits research suggests that the core mechanisms of human learning remain relatively stable across generations. Some argue that digital immersion strengthens certain abilities like rapid information processing, although others say this is overstating its effects. Rather than fundamentally "rewiring" our brains, digital technologies interact with pre-existing cognitive processes, shaping how we engage with information rather than transforming the way we think.
5. It Can Lead to Complacency
When we assume that young people are naturally good with tech, we risk neglecting formal digital education and safeguards. Schools might assume young people don’t need to be taught digital literacy, cybersecurity, or critical thinking for the online world.
A better term?
Instead of framing the conversation around digital natives and digital immigrants, we might be better off talking about digital literacy. Digital literacy isn’t something you inherit—it’s something you develop.
Young people need support in all these areas, just as much as previous generations needed guidance in navigating their own technological landscapes. Instead of assuming fluency, we should be asking: What do today’s young people need to learn to thrive in a digital world?
Prensky’s work sparked an important conversation about education and technology, and for that, he deserves credit. But as we move forward, we need to ensure that we aren’t just dividing generations with catchy metaphors. Instead, let’s build a world where everyone—regardless of age—has the skills, knowledge, and wisdom to use technology well.