The Civic, Social, and Multi Modal Lives of Digital Natives

Chapter 4:  “This model is generally consonant with a range of beliefs about young people, either as inherently tech-savvy, as content creators, or as interested more in fun and entertainment than in policies and politics” (Thomas, p.61).

I think that this quote is putting the “digital natives” into a category. Either they are tech-savvy people that are more into fun and entertainment or they like policies and politics. It doesn’t seem like they can be both. I think the younger generation doesn’t really want to be into politics and I know that that doesn’t stand for all of them. This chapter talks about the younger generation not being involved with online politics and civic organizations as much as they should. They only go to the pages that they are familiar with and know a lot about. People want to be heard, but that’s what they use Facebook and Twitter for. 

Chapter 5: “The term embodies a powerful conception of young people as being the hope for the future, and has become a buzzword among government bodies, industry, academia, and the population in general” (Thomas, p.69).

This quote really stood out to me, because it was based on a utopian world with our youth. In this chapter it is looking at Japan and how they look up to the younger generation to help their country and make it more tech-savvy. They wanted their businesses, government, schools, and people to use it. This quote could show how powerful the Internet is and how much it has to offer everyone in a perfect world. This shows how the Internet and all of the web sources could change the world in a perfect world. 

Chapter 6: “As Bylin says, no two digital natives are the created equal and each of them have varying degrees of access to digital technologies, literacy skills, and participation within their peer culture” (2009, p.1).

I strongly agree with what Bylin says about “Digital Natives”. Every person is different no matter if you were born in the same year or not. People live different lives and have different opportunities for themselves. Not every person has access to digital technology and can become a “Digital Native” with it. I have some students that don’t own a computer or don't have Internet access at home. Every person is born around different things in life. For example, in the first few chapters of this book it compared what the “Digital Natives” were exposed to versus what the “Digital Immigrants” were exposed to. Everyone uses technology is different ways. Some become digital geniuses while others use it for personal use only.

I chose to create this Meme, because I think that this represents the true meaning of what a “Digital Native” really is. They are the ones who utilize the new media and technologies that are offered to them. They take advantage of the resources that they have been given and become successful. The find and create new ways to communicate with others around the world and participate in different things as well.