The anticipating arrival of the biggest technological breakthrough is expected to make a giant stride to the lives of the next generations. Soon, our future will be more inextricably bridge to the continuing waves of innovation and the chance to unplug may be impossible to take effect in a techno-saturated world. While this generation embarks on a groundbreaking and ever-expanding transformation in electronic information, there are still lists of concern whether this rapid outburst of technological advancement would really levitate the lives of the future generations at the top of socio-economic ladder, or will only create a wider gap that would exacerbate the extension of current trends- leaving the less privilege people to advance behind this fast changing world.
The year 1440 became the springboard for innumerable innovations, from printing press to steam engine and so on. These trailblazing inventions had exemplified as the stepping stone toward a staggering scientific and technological aggrandizement. The past ten years of digital explosion had grown by leaps and bounds, and the existence of digital technologies at present is not only gripping this generation to dive deeper into the abyss of the virtual world, but it also fuels them to ride more with the tech wave in the future. As the youths today had extended themselves at the leading edge of cyberspace, they are expected to gain digital skills, critical analysis and deep thinking to make stride and fulfill their full potential, not only today, but also in the course of time. This era of digitalization had driven this generation into a different dimension where being saturated to media means preparing yourself to the ‘real word’, and while being lagged behind the line of current trends means losing myriad of opportunities in the near future. Whilst there is a need to take a lot of endeavor to keep up with the giant leap of electronic information, majority of people still have lingering concerns as multitude of youths today are being ‘rewired’, their cognitive capabilities, mental resilience and performance are being challenged in different situations for multiple times. The rapid adaptation of individuals to the new connectedness is expected to equip the present and next generations to be more adept in digging answers and finding solutions to complex predicaments as their brains are being constantly linked to hyperlinks and informations via internet. The possibility to multi-task and be connected without being hindered by language and distance will not appear to be impossible anymore as technology increases the youth’s competencies and power. Everything will change, and these changes will not only affect some segments of our culture, but also the way we work, how we communicate and learn will be moved to virtual world. These advancements may seem to mold our future and stir us to the staircase of prosperity towards the beam of tomorrow, but the chance to keep pace with its dramatic transformation is still uncertain, for there is still a possibility that it will also lead us to split adaptation that would intensify disparities and inequities among the less privileged people who are still left behind and disconnected to modern world.
Once everything is fully wired and plugged, technology will become more irreplaceable and vital, its influence will be edgeless, and will leave nothing that is not touched. This truth cannot be denied as everyone became the eye-witness on how it transformed the realm of education during the hard times. The presence of digital learning has been more pronounced as it moves and becomes unbounded, the face-to-fave teaching is now being calculated through backlit screens, and the students’ knowledge and memories are becoming more stored in Google and URLs. This virtual schooling will allot us flexible choices, abundant information and more broad learning opportunities that will impact our future, but it will also heighten and intensity inequalities in the field of education, resulting to massive disconnection. This paradigm shift in delivering education might be flexible for others, but this opportunity only offers limited seat to those who are not fully connected to digital world. It took a pandemic to make us aware of how the vulnerable and marginalized people are scarcely meeting the trend line today. Majority of the youths are being uninformed and left behind as they do not have enough equitable access to high-speed internet and technologies to participate online. Thus making them more unprepared in embracing the technological change in the teaching and learning trail. The booming of technology is tremendously deepening the inequality and inequity, causing great isolation, social differences and lack if skills to innovate. Individuals who are lack of digital literacy, having low income, and situated to less favored areas are the ones who are tremendously affected in the imbalance exist of digitalization. Once this temporary learning becomes fixed and permanent, those who have inadequate skills in digital literacy and necessary competencies for the new technologies will never make a leapfrog towards this digital journey.
There are so many opportunities that this advancement could give, not only in the way we connect and learn, but also in longevity of life, success in work and enhancement in global collaboration. The youths of today are needed to be equipped in order to attain the needs of modern society. They are required to develop standard and social skills that will enable them to plot and create success in the field of employment. Without closing digital divide, large amount of workforce opportunities will be hindered, as having access to internet and obtaining digital skills should be acquired in order to make a leap in 21st century. However, overcoming digital split effectively and permanently is a complex task that requires hard work and full effort. The policymakers should take part in eliminating the roadblocks that makes a big chunk in achieving a digitally empowered nation. Public and private sectors should expand digital proficiencies, provide financial support and speed up access to high-speed internet. The digital divide is diminishing the quality of life, but this can be alleviated once the government provides more affordable yet post-haste broadband; free access to different sites; and implementation of digital literacy that will assist the individuals to obtain skills and make them well informed on how these new technologies improve their lives, including work-ready skills development that will help and prepare tue individuals to thrive in this modern life. When everyone becomes fully connected and immersed, there will be greater access to information awaits us along the road; and more productivity in performing task at a full speed. Technology is creating our daily lives more convenient.
It is exceedingly significant to create a successful roadmap in bridging this widening gap. This breakthrough will unlock the doors that would push us to go forth to the expanse. Once everyone is digitally included, the chance to thrive and stand on the road of myriad opportunities will make us more have the prosperity in life. Technology will soar up high and no one should be left behind to this indistinguishable magic that offers infinite wonders and possibilities to the future of humans.
Kriss 