Digital Natives Research Articles

Effect of digital natives on executive function: The mediating role of problematic Internet use

The ever-increasing use of digital technology is considered to be related to the individual’s executive function. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. This questionnaire-based study explored the mediating effect of problematic Internet use (PIU) in the relationship between digital natives and executive function. A total of 572 college students were enrolled to complete the measures of digital natives, PIU, executive function, and demographic variables. Structural equation models were adopted to examine the potential mediating effect of PIU on the relationship between digital natives and executive function. The results revealed that PIU mediates the relationship between global digital natives and global executive function. Moreover, the separate mediation models indicated that PIU mediated the relationship between four dimensions of digital natives and three executive function components. This study advances our knowledge of how digital natives are related to executive function. Education professionals should focus on college students suffering from excessive digital technology, particularly those with PIU.

Sharenting in China: perspectives from mothers and adolescents

PurposeMothers sharing images and information on social media about their children is a contemporary cultural norm. While the practice has been heavily discussed in popular media, there is a lack of empirical research examining the phenomenon from the perspectives of parents and adolescent children in China. The current study aims to find out whether or not mothers and their children engage in discussions about sharenting and how adolescents negotiate their privacy concerns with their mothers.Design/methodology/approachThe current study examined how parents and their children make sense of sharenting via semi-structured interviews with 16 Chinese mothers. In addition, the study enlisted 21 adolescents to examine their perspectives on sharenting. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.FindingsResults showed that although documentation is articulated as the primary sharenting motivation, identity management is a major drive behind sharenting. The dynamics between mothers and their children, as well as between adolescents and their parents, are also explored regarding the issues of consent, privacy and identity.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has theoretical implications for the communication privacy management (CPM) theory, as it underscores the dynamic nature of privacy management, shaped by cultural norms, family dynamics and evolving communication technologies. It also adds value for campaign practitioners to provide education programs on the serious consequences of sharenting.Originality/valueThis research serves as a starting point to further explore a child’s entrance to adulthood as our culture’s first true digital natives who will bear extensive online and offline identities.

The study of social commerce in Generation Z context: the role of social support and privacy risk

PurposeThe recent proliferation of social media platforms has witnessed a growth in social commerce by using social media to facilitate interactivity between customers and vendors. While emergent studies on social commerce are growing, their focus tends to be on millennials and cross-age groups. Given the growth of digital natives in shaping the online shopping experience of the future, we deemed an application to Generation Z necessary and overdue.Design/methodology/approachWe draw on the existing literature and develop a framework to understand social commerce dynamics for digital natives. We employ PLS and CB-SEM to test our proposed model.FindingsOur findings demonstrate the importance of social commerce information sharing activities in facilitating social support, a sense of warmth and belongingness, and online trust for Generation Z platform users. We also investigate the roles of online trust and perceived risk on intention to purchase and find support for both relationships. Finally, we discuss the findings in terms of theoretical and managerial contributions and conclude the study with limitations and future research directions.Originality/valueThis research is unique by using social commerce theory to explore Gen Z platform users. The finding will contribute to information system literature by expanding the social commerce research stream.

Blended Learning in EFL Classrooms at a Vietnamese University from Students’ Perspectives

The utilization of blended learning in the field of English language instruction has shown a notable rise in recent times. Blended learning has the ability to provide an optimal setting for language education, enabling a transition from conventional instructional approaches to more progressive ways through the integration of technology. Nevertheless, several unresolved issues remain in relation to this methodology. This paper examines the perceptions of students regarding the potential benefits and obstacles associated with the implementation of blended learning in English language courses at a university in Vietnam. Additionally, the study proposes many solutions with the objective of enhancing the current situation and establishing a solid foundation for the future growth of blended learning. The study involved a sample of 165 first-year students, with online surveys and interviews being utilized as the primary methods of data collection The results of the study indicate that contemporary students can be classified as digital natives. While they demonstrate proficiency in various technical skills, have easy access to technology, and exhibit a propensity for self-directed learning, their inclination towards traditional classroom environments is evident when it comes to their attitudes regarding online engagement with instructors and peers in English courses.

A bibliometric exploration of infographics as tools for visual literacy in education

The purpose of this paper is to examine how infographics are used in the dynamics of designing or creating in the teaching and learning process. Utilising a bibliometric approach and content analysis, we examined a sample of 760 documents from the Web of Science and Scopus databases with no lower time limit until November 2023. The analyses aimed to identify trends, including main topics, authors, sources, most cited articles, institutional affiliations, and countries in the literature. This bibliometric approach allows for the observation of trends in the educational application of promoting visual literacy through students’ design or creation of infographics in formal and informal learning settings. Initial publications emerged in 2007, gaining momentum from 2014 to the present. The most prolific fields were medical science, chemistry, and computer science. This investigation shows that educational institutions could employ infographics beyond present boundaries to prepare students—particularly Generation Alpha, digital natives—for a data-driven society. Institutions should expand their use of infographics to improve visual literacy and address the changing educational requirements of students in a dynamic learning environment. Overall, this paper provides insights into the readiness of educators and institutions to engage Generation Alpha, the digital natives, through visual literacy and infographics.

Data-driven strategies for digital native market segmentation using clustering

The rapid growth of internet users and social networking sites presents significant challenges for entrepreneurs and marketers. Understanding the evolving behavioral and psychological patterns across consumer demographics is crucial for adapting business models effectively. Particularly, the emergence of new firms targeting adolescents and future generations underscores the importance of comprehending online consumer behavior and communication dynamics. To tackle these challenges, we introduce a Machine Learning-based Digital Native Market Segmentation designed to cater specifically to the interests of digital natives. Leveraging an open-access prototype dataset from social networking sites (SNS), our study employs a variety of clustering techniques, including Kmeans, MiniBatch Kmeans, AGNES, and Fuzzy C-means, to uncover hidden interests of teenage consumers from SNS data. Through rigorous evaluation of these clustering approaches by default parameters, we identify the optimal number of clusters and group consumers with similar tastes effectively. Our findings provide actionable insights into business impact and critical patterns driving future marketing growth. In our experiment, we systematically evaluate various clustering techniques, and notably, the Kmeans cluster outperforms others, demonstrating strong segmentation ability in the digital market. Specifically, it achieves silhouette scores of 63.90% and 58.06% for 2 and 3 clusters, respectively, highlighting its effectiveness in segmenting the digital market.

Reshaping of Dating Culture through the Presence of Online Dating Application

Online dating is an inevitable phenomenon in this digital age. The close interaction of digital natives with the internet makes them seem to entrust all activities in their lives to the internet, including dating and finding a mate. This makes them more likely to use online dating applications. This thesis investigates the drivers of the use of online dating applications by the digital natives, their opinions about online dating application and how the use of such application is different or the same between Indonesians and Americans. Data collection techniques are using questionnaire and interview. The secondary data in this study were obtained from other sources such as research results presented on the official website. This research found that there are many factors that influence digital natives in using online dating applications. This study reveals an array of eastern philosophical ideas, such as the predominance of female gendered application users in Indonesia, which implies that the gender line has become more ambiguous.

Trust, Social Influence and Perceived Usefulness: Examining Online Purchase Intentions among Gen Z

The growing popularity of online shopping collides with user reservations related to trust, social influence, and perceived purchase usefulness, with such concerns acutely observable among Gen Z populations. As digital natives and prolific online users, Gen Z's purchasing patterns offer valuable insights for marketers adjusting their online strategies. This study extends the body of knowledge by examining the determinants of online purchase intentions among Gen Z thereby guiding university administrators, educators, and online retailers in crafting improved online shopping experiences. Utilizing a non-intrusive, naturalistic research setting, the study harnesses an anonymous survey methodology, and data is rigorously analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Findings indicate that trust and perceived usefulness are significantly connected to students' online purchasing decisions. This study enhances the theory of online buying habits by emphasizing trust and value in e-commerce. It advises adding trust cues and functional benefits to online portals, the key to influencing Gen Z buyers and boosting market expansion and e-shopper satisfaction.

Addressing youths’ digital agency with internet technologies: discourses and practices that produce inequalities

ABSTRACT This study approached the issue of youths’ digital agency by analyzing the ways in which youths talk about their use of Internet technologies for recreational purposes outside of school. Using interview data from young people (n = 28) born in 2005 and 2006, this paper approaches youths’ speech as culturally embedded discourses that express their strategies for making their digital practices understandable and acceptable to adults. By doing so, the paper addresses the need for ongoing research that explores youths’ digital engagement with Internet technologies within a wider social context that positions them as ‘digital natives’. The study results were organized into 11 discourses under four themes: benefits, harms and risks, person-based networking, and Internet skills. The identified discourses reflect the ways in which young people articulate and negotiate their digital agency with social norms, assumptions and expectations of them as tech-savvy youths. By focusing on youths’ speech and discourses, this study advances current research on digital inequalities among young people. It also highlights the need for young people to be supported and empowered in developing skills that enable critical and safe engagements with Internet technologies.

Who Makes Popular Content? Information Cues from Content Creators for Users’ game Choice: Focusing on User-Created Content Platform “Roblox”

User-generated game platforms have emerged as a channel fostering creative activities in online communities. Therefore, this study reveals users’ decision making at UGG platform such as Roblox, where millions of users contribute to game creation and play the game. In particular, teenagers, who are digital natives and known as Generation Z, select a game from various UGGs on Roblox. Thus, this study focuses on how game creator information in personal profile plays a significant role in determining digital natives’ choice of UGG. Drawing the signaling theory, this research focus on creators’ abilities and popularities as indicators for UGG choices. We collect a total of 1,301 fighting games from Roblox and game creator information. To address endogeneity, a two-stage least squares(2SLS) analysis was conducted using instrumental variables. The results show that the number of limited items and followers achieved by the creator positively affect game popularity.

Screen media-based devices usage patterns: Comparison between digital immigrant parents and digital native adolescents

Smartphones are frequently the subject of digital screen media-based research due to their popularity. Other screen devices, such as computers, conventional TV, laptops, smart TV, and tablets, which have a significant impact on children’s and adolescents’ psychological behaviors, are rarely covered. Parents are considered the active agents who can regulate adolescents screen-based media use and control online risks. Parents of adolescents in developing countries are digital immigrants, and their consumption patterns of screen devices must be studied before exploring their media usage regulatory strategies for children and adolescents. To gather information on screen device usage patterns, including availability, usage, ownership, and screen time, a quantitative technique approach was used in the study. A statistical analysis was performed on survey data collected from 447 parent-adolescent dyadic samples (n=894). Results show a positive association between socio-economic status and the number of screen devices present in households. Parents and adolescents spend the same amount of screen time on conventional TV and smart TV as they do on smartphones. Tablets were the least used, but they had more screen time than laptops and computers. Screen time is associated with the intended use of the device. Screen time spent per device by digital immigrant parents is quite like that of their digital-native adolescents. Girls use smartphones often; boys spend more screen time with them. Parents’ screen-based media usage practices should also be regulated, as they highly influence their children’s screen time.

Perspectives of Young Digital Natives on Digital Marketing: Exploring Annoyance and Effectiveness with Eye-Tracking Analysis

Currently, there are a wide range of approaches to deploying digital ads, with advanced technologies now being harnessed to craft advertising that is engaging and even tailored to personal interests and preferences, yet potentially distracting and irritating. This research seeks to evaluate contemporary digital advertising methods by assessing how annoying they are to users, particularly when they distract users from intended tasks or cause delays in regular online activities. To pursue this, an eye-tracking study was conducted, with 51 participants navigating a specially designed website featuring seven distinct types of advertisements without a specific content to avoid the effect of ad content on the collected data. Participants were asked to execute specific information-seeking tasks during the experiment and afterwards to report if they recalled seeing each ad and the degree of annoyance by each ad type. Ad effectiveness is assessed by eye-tracking metrics (time to first fixation, average fixation duration, dwell time, fixation count, and revisit count) depicting how appealing an ad is as a marketing stimulus. Findings indicated that pop-ups, ads with content reorganization, and non-skippable videos ranked as the most annoying forms of advertising. Conversely, in-content ads without content reorganization, banners, and right rail ads were indicated as less intrusive options, seeming to strike a balance between effectiveness and user acceptance.

Revolutionizing Banking: The Path to an AI-driven Future with a Special Reference to Union Bank

Banking stands at a transformative crossroads, propelled by technological disruption, shifting consumer dynamics, and the catalytic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This research charts the course for a new era in banking business models, introducing a paradigm shift known as 'the AI bank of the future.' Grounded in the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, this model offers traditional banks the potential to elevate revenue while reducing costs, ushering in innovative customer engagement approaches. In response to multifaceted challenges, including market valuations, competitive threats from neobanks, and changing customer expectations, traditional banks are urged to become 'AI-first' in strategy and operations. This involves leveraging economies of scale through efficient AI deployment to enhance customer engagement with distinctive experiences and superior value propositions. The research meticulously explores the building blocks of an AI bank, delving into four critical layers: engagement, AI-powered decision-making, core technology, and data infrastructure, and a platform-based operating model. Through a series of articles, the study examines trends, challenges, and requirements for each layer, offering an end-to-end view of the capabilities essential for the AI bank of the future. The articles cover topics ranging from the challenges leading banks to adopt an AI-first approach, a day in the life of a consumer transacting with an AI bank, reimagining customer engagement, to AI-powered decision-making and the modernization of core technology. The final piece discusses the necessity of a platform operating model, emphasizing the deployment of AI and analytics capabilities at scale through cross-functional business-technology platforms. To embark on this transformative journey, bank leaders are advised to formulate strategic goals for the AI-enabled digital age, establish an AI-first vision, and strategically modernize enterprise technology. The research underscores the importance of assessing emerging technologies, prioritizing initiatives aligned with customer needs, and considering partnerships for non-differentiating capabilities while focusing on in-house development for distinct competitive advantages. In conclusion, building the AI bank of the future is envisioned as a pathway to innovation, competitive prowess against digital natives, and sustainable increases in profits and valuations. The research serves as a guiding compass, assisting banks in establishing their vision and crafting a strategic roadmap for this transformative journey into the AI-driven future of banking.

Digital immigrants: Leveraging the technology acceptance model to increase digital literacy in older adults

AbstractIn “Digital Immigrants: Leveraging the Technology Acceptance Model to Increase Digital Literacy in Older Adults,” the authors delve into the vital importance of digital literacy for supporting older adults in living independently and staying connected with their community. They explore how the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which emphasizes the perceived usefulness of technology, can be effectively used to encourage older adults to embrace digital tools. The article highlights that well‐designed technology training can do much more than help older adults live independently; it can also significantly enhance their connections with family, friends, healthcare providers, and community services. Additionally, it offers practical guidelines for creating effective technology training programs that empower older adults to lead more connected, independent, and enriched lives.

Improving Library Services: From Information Services to Knowledge Services

Digital natives and the alpha-beta generation have different behavior from previous generations when it comes to searching for information. They are more likely to use gadgets in every activity of searching, processing, and sharing information/knowledge. This has implications for how libraries serve them. The importance of appropriate services for digital natives and the alpha-beta generation is because they are the nation’s assets in the future. The SECI model describes how knowledge is disseminated from, by, for, and/or to individuals in an organizational environment. The use of the latest web technology in libraries will further dynamize the organization of knowledge in an institution. This text is in the form of an idea prepared based on a literature review with a qualitative approach, describing how to improve library services from information services to knowledge services. Traditional library services only provide information as desired by the library without any analysis or abstracts beyond the data/information in question. The combination of understanding of ontology, semantics, and SECI models encourages an increase in higher service levels from information services to knowledge services. Knowledge services are developed from a combination of various data/information formats on the same subject linked to each other through multimedia visualization so that users get solutions/knowledge to the problems they are looking for. The development of knowledge services requires several related things, namely: technology architecture design, content, human resources, and future development.
 Keywords: information services, knowledge management, knowledge services, library

Strengthening Religious Literacy as an Effort to Overcome the Moral Degradation of Generation Z in the Digital Era

Generation Z is a group of individuals who grew up in the digital era. Even though digital technology has provided great benefits, there are concerns about moral degradation in this generation. This article discusses efforts to strengthen religious literacy as a step to overcome moral degradation among Generation Z in the digital era. This research method uses a qualitative descriptive approach, with a library method. The results of this research illustrate how the digital era plays an important role today. The tendency of Generation Z, digital natives, to have easy access to various digital content, both positive and negative, has influenced their understanding of moral values. This generation’s exposure to information that is not always in accordance with religious values can cause negative behavioral changes. To overcome this problem, strengthening religious literacy is important in reducing the occurrence of moral degradation in Generation Z. This article also highlights the important role of schools, families, and religious leaders in supporting the strengthening of religious literacy through religious moderation, character education, and the use of digital literacy. With this effort, it is hoped that Generation Z can strengthen their understanding of religious values, strengthen their morals, and become more responsible individuals in facing the challenges of the digital era. Strengthening religious literacy is the basis for forming a generation with moral integrity amidst rapid technological change.
 Keywords: moral degradation, Generation Z, strengthening religious literacy

Student metacognition in online learning using website hyperlink facilities on Microsoft Team’s platform

Without the ability to analyze their own learning (metacognition), students can find it difficult to manage their educational journey. The good news is, future learning environments on online platforms offer innovative ways to develop these skills, even for those who are digital natives. This study aims to ascertain the effectiveness of online learning by using a website hyperlink-based teaching and learning scenario, especially using the Microsoft Teams platform towards students’ metacognition during online learning. Both metacognition knowledge and awareness (regulation), representing the metacognition, were checked. Coordination systems in learning biology were the chosen topics to be taught in quasi-experimental research using a pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group design. Two classes were selected purposely based on the normality and homogeneity test to have the controlled and experimental classes. We examined the metacognitive knowledge and awareness using tests and questionnaires. We checked the effectiveness of the web hyperlink-based media on students’ metacognition knowledge and awareness using MANOVA Regression analysis and N-Gain scores. Our developed web hyperlink-based media has significantly enhanced students’ cognitive knowledge and awareness.

Examining Junior High School Students’ Personality Factors as Predictive Indices of Adolescent Digital Technology Interaction and Importance

Adolescents considered digital natives, have become increasingly involved in weaving together their offline and online lives before and during the pandemic. The web is an indispensable space for connecting with people and the environment. Hence, their digital use is often related to well-being and risks. Adolescent Digital Technology Interaction and Importance (ADTI) Scale took a different angle in explaining adolescents' focus on their use of digital technology. This tool is a self-report survey administered to 1,322 students from an exclusive boys’ school. Along with the Adolescent Personality Questionnaire (APQ), this study aimed to explore personality factors that are correlated with adolescent digital interaction. Results analyzed using correlation and regression showed APQ Factors were significantly correlated with ADTI and its subscales. Among these factors, some were also shown to be significant predictors of ADTI. Findings imply that personality factors influence how adolescents interact with digital technology.

Student perspectives on health informatics in a medical curriculum: A case study

Introduction: Health informatics (HI) is the study and practice of technology used to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare. Formal HI teaching lacks visibility in most Australasian medical schools. In this study, medical students collected data from their peers and recent graduates on the teaching and learning of HI to inform development of a needs-based integrated HI curriculum. Methods: This mixed-methods case study of our medical degree program used clinically relevant vignettes to explore student confidence and opinions on HI. Current HI learning was benchmarked against recommendations. Recent graduates from University of Otago Medical School participated in an online survey (n = 26), and five focus group interviews of final-year medical students (n = 17) were carried out by a peer student. Results: More than half of the participants surveyed felt confident in most HI topics, though many were less confident in telemedicine, evaluating electronic resources for patient use, data communication and data storage. Most students recalled learning some HI principles and agreed these should be integrated within their degree. Students highlighted that HI curriculum development should consider students’ self-identity as digital natives and the need for clinically situated, relevant and authentic learning to avoid tensions between theoretical HI concepts and clinical environments. Conclusion: Medical students are critical consumers of potential HI curriculum content and expressed clear preferences for clinically relevant and up-to-date HI content. Key challenges in developing an HI curriculum will be ensuring a student-centered, authentic, contemporary and future-focused curriculum, with relevance demonstrated to digital native students.

‘Connective Alignment’ as the Educational Approach for Higher Education in the Digital Age

Most students in higher education at present are ‘digital natives.’ They use technology in every facet of their life, including their education. They learn from formally organised courses as well as from informal learning. Hence, informal learning has been identified as crucial for the sustainability of higher education in the current global context. Technology facilitates informal learning and, thus, has made substantial changes in how learning occurs in modern age learners. These changes that occurred in the learning process due to the influence of technology should be addressed by the educational approaches used in higher education to achieve the best outcomes in relation to the academic performance of students and students’ satisfaction. This commentary presents an educational approach: ‘Connective Alignment’ for higher education in the digital age, which can fulfil the learning needs of the learners in this digital age.