Technological development plays a crucial role in modern societies and has become a testament to the progress and advancement of major institutions and developed communities. Digital culture and the associated tools and techniques have become essential for various segments of society, especially young people, who have become dependent on digitization, the digital culture, and the transformation of virtual realities. This phenomenon has deeply penetrated their minds, altering their thought boundaries and expanding their ideas, making it an essential aspect of life. In the following interview, Sayidaty spoke with Yasser Sraj Al-Dawi, a researcher in the Master's program at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, to explore the significance of digital culture in enhancing young people's understanding.
Digital Culture's Strong Presence Among Youth
Yasser Sraj Al-Dawi explains: "In today's cyber reality, where digital transformations and technological mechanisms have imposed their presence, young people are compelled to increase their digital literacy and stay informed about the latest developments in the digital age. This is vital for them to remain part of the technology-driven world and avoid falling behind." He adds: "Studies show that over 5.16 billion people are connected to the internet. This highlights that even young children are exposed to digital culture, albeit indirectly, by using their parents' smartphones long before they develop basic reading and writing skills."
The researcher emphasizes that digital culture has successfully reached everyone and become a dominant force in the lives of people, including the youth, children, and adults alike.
What is Digital Culture?
Yasser defines digital culture as a modern term that represents the behaviors, practices, and values developed through the use of digital technologies. He clarifies that digital technologies, in broader terms, include smartphones, social media, digital collaboration tools, enterprise content management, cloud infrastructure, software as a service (SaaS), as well as the digital environments like the internet that form the foundation of the modern digital world.
The Impact of Digital Culture on Social Structures and Norms
Yasser affirms that the growth of digital technology use in society, particularly among young people, in large and small organizations alike, ensures the continued emergence and development of digital culture. This has led to a fundamental shift in how billions of young people communicate, work, learn, and entertain themselves. Consequently, it is not surprising that this transformation has brought about changes in social structures and norms. In organizational and educational environments, traditional cultural practices are diminishing, while digital cultures are flourishing.
For example, digital culture supports remote learning and remote working, allowing students of all ages and young professionals to contribute from virtually anywhere. The acceptance of online education and remote work has proven to be a more productive and interactive alternative to traditional office work.
The Importance of Digital Culture and the Role of Digital Transformation in Youth's Lives
Yasser explains that digital transformation refers to the integration of digital technologies into various aspects of life, including work, education, entertainment, and services. The impact of digital culture on this transformation is substantial in the following ways:
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Enhancement of Digital Culture to Support Transformation:
Digital culture promotes the necessary mindsets, behaviors, and values to fully integrate digital tools and methods into modern life, fostering a more open attitude toward change. -
Encouraging Digital Tools, Innovation, and Collaboration:
Digital culture encourages young people to embrace digital tools, innovation, and collaboration, helping them stay competitive and adaptable in a rapidly changing world. -
Improving Personal Development and Engagement with Global Digital Contexts:
Having a strong foundation in digital culture enhances individuals' maturity and their ability to engage with global digital trends. -
Facilitating Communication and Collaboration:
Digital culture encourages the use of real-time communication and collaboration tools, making it easier for young people to learn, work, and interact with the array of digital services available today and in the future. -
Supporting Continuous Skill Development:
Digital culture fosters continuous learning and development of new skills, helping individuals and organizations adapt to evolving technological demands. -
Automating Routine Tasks to Improve Productivity:
One of the key features of digital culture is automating routine tasks, which reduces human error, increases productivity, and enhances overall efficiency. -
Adapting to Technological Changes:
Digital culture helps individuals and organizations better navigate technological changes, such as the rise of artificial intelligence, requiring flexibility and adaptation. -
Fostering Innovation and Creative Thinking:
Digital culture nurtures the creativity of young people, encouraging experimentation and the development of new ideas, approaches, and methodologies for building products, improving services, and enhancing interactions in different aspects of life. -
Supporting Virtual Initiatives and Recognition:
Digital culture boosts the success of innovative virtual initiatives and promotes the recognition of achievements, encouraging further engagement and participation.
By fostering these behaviors and skills, digital culture is a key factor in empowering youth to navigate and thrive in an increasingly digitized world.
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