Generation Gap: Technology Differences Between Generations

Mornings at my grandparent’s house are a perfect example of how the different generations can go about accomplishing the same task in very diverse ways. My grandmother places the mail on the table and begins making a grocery list and reminders of the things she needs to get done that day. My grandfather, as he is reading the newspaper, asks my grandmother to print something of his that he needs so he can fax it back to the insurance office later. All the while this is happening, I accomplish all of the same tasks; only on one handheld device in one place. Even when they venture into the world of technology, it seems limited.

Different generations take advantage the technology available to them. It tends to be that the later in life a person begins using technology available to them can determine how deep they delve into the world of it. Some will utilize it more than others, but there seems to be a cap at some point where it’s more comfortable to stick with what one has always known. Along with different preferences individuals have, it also includes varying opinions on whether or not technology has been beneficial or disadvantageous when concerning reading and writing. Today, studies result that technology has made an impact on many Americans reading and writing habits and they choose to utilize what new technological advances have to offer. However, there seems to be a difference between older and younger generations regarding their preference on whether or not to utilize technology for reading and writing purposes. For the purpose of this essay, I will classify older generations as ranging from ‘The Silent Generation’ to ‘Generation X’ (born in the years 1925-1979). I will classify younger generations as ranging from ‘Millennials’ to ‘Generation Z’ (born in the years 1980-2012).

Technology Differences Between Generations

The majority of Americans today utilize technology to an extent; it is reported that nearly ninety-five percent of the population owns a smartphone as of 2018 (Pew Research Center). Despite the large portion of Americans that do use technology, it is important to recognize that not all individuals and more so, generations, use it in the same way. “Each generation has its own distinct characteristics, one of such is how they use technology. With technology rapidly innovating at a breakneck speed, the gap between each generation also impacts the way each age group uses various technological platforms to make their life much easier…”. Furthermore, the article dives deeper into analyzing the individual generations and generalizes what technologies they mostly use in terms of reading and writing for communication. Individuals born in the years 1965 to 1979, known as “Generation X’, mostly use email and telephone when using technology to communicate. The ‘Millennials’, those born between the years 1980 and 1996, mainly use text messaging and social media for communication. Those born after the year 1996, ‘Generation Z’, primarily use handheld devices to communicate. One aspect that really sets generations apart as far as technology is concerned, is the how they prefer to read news and other current events. Older generations, such as my grandparents, grew up in the days of reading the daily newspaper delivered at their doorstep; and despite all the technology available today, it can be said they still prefer their original reading and writing habits. In a study conducted by Pew Research Center, different age groups were asked their preference on whether they read the news in the newspaper or online. The results of this study support the theory that younger generations are more prone to take advantage of what technology has to offer, such as news applications on a mobile device or websites on a computer, than older generations are. In the age group containing individuals that were eighteen through twenty-nine, ten percent said they prefer to get the news by reading the newspaper, and eighty-one percent preferred to read the news online. In the age group containing individuals thirty through forty-nine, thirteen percent preferred the newspaper and seventy-two percent preferred to read news online. In the age group containing those fifty through sixty-four years old, forty percent preferred the newspaper and forty-one percent preferred online. Of those sixty-five years and older, sixty-three percent preferred to read the newspaper and twenty percent preferred to read the news online. To break it down, younger generations simply prefer to read the news via online platforms and older generations prefer their original habits of reading the newspaper.

Another important factor to analyze is whether or not technology has been beneficial to younger generations growing up, more so in regard to students’ development and the learning environment. In a study done on over 3,000 American college students, eighty-one percent agreed that technology improved their efficiency and grades. In settings such as these, technology has much to offer and when used responsibly, can be largely beneficial to students. Interactive learning and study tools found on the internet and applications available for download are statistically favored by students enrolled in college courses. Not only has technology changed the way one learns and develops at college campuses, but grade schools as well. “The impact that technology has had on today’s schools has been quite significant. This widespread adoption of technology has completely changed how teachers teach and students learn”. Learning with technology is in fact shown to reap benefits. Students believe they retain more information, are able to learn at their own pace, and overall it makes learning exciting.

Downsides Associated With the Use of Technology in the Learning Environment

When technology is not used properly for education purposes, distractions pose a threat and hamper the students’ ability to retain information and fully take in what is being taught to them. Due to students’ irresponsible usage, it can be discouraging for teachers or professors to allow technology in the classroom. Likewise, computers cannot meet or replace the role of a teacher or give necessary experience in the classroom. “Computers cannot substitute for hands on experience with art supplies, science equipment, or musical instruments”. Older generations had an extraordinary different learning environment than the younger generation does today in the twenty-first century. It can be debated either way when weighing the positive and negative effects to determine how technology affects modern day students.

Ultimately, there are distinct differences between the generations where technology is concerned; especially in regard to the reading and writing habits of an individual. Researching various studies, it is true to conclude that older generations typically prefer to stick to their original reading and writing methods that they grew up with and are not as familiar with utilizing modern technologies. Inversely, younger generations that grew up surrounded by technology tend to take advantage of what technology has to offer and are up to date with new technological advances. While my grandparents prefer more traditional methods of reading writing, I think I will stick to my phone and computer.

Works Cited

1. Anderson, S. (2018). Nearly all Americans now own a smartphone of some kind. Pew Research Center.
2. Artukovich, K. (2020). The impact of technology on reading and writing habits by generations. The Writing Cooperative.
3. Grant, S. (2021). Is technology helping or hindering your ability to read and write? EdTech Magazine.
4. Howard, J. (2018). How technology is changing the way children learn. The Guardian.
5. Jones, C., & Shao, B. (2011). The net generation and digital natives: Implications for higher education. Higher Education Academy.
6. Mayer, R. E. (2009). Multimedia learning. Cambridge University Press.
7. Miller, A. (2018). How technology is changing the way we read. The Verge.
8. National Education Association. (2015). Guide to integrating technology into the classroom.
9. Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants part 1. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6.
10. Shrivastava, A., & Guo, R. X. (2018). Technology use in higher education: A literature review. Journal of educational technology development and exchange.