Antisocial Digital Practice
It was only in 2008, that I finally was able to discover and engage with the digital world. However, I was not able to do so freely for a long time, due to having an old second-hand computer and my dad constantly reminding me of the expensive electricity bill. The few times I was able to enter the digital space, I only played games on a few websites (including the now unavailable Barbie.com) and had no social media accounts. During my last few years in primary school, I could finally upgrade my Nokia to a smartphone and began to talk to my friends in the digital space.
My digital practice remained unchanged until I entered secondary school. Finally my brother created an email and some social media accounts for me, so I could use it for school and stay connected with my family (who were still back in my home country). I was thus able to expand my social digital practice, albeit without a desire to do so. It was only during secondary school that some friends convinced me to partake in some online communities and be more active on social media, which only lasted until we all (rather quickly) lost interest.
Now that I’m in my twenties, I’ve realised that I am (and have always been) content with using the digital space solely for my own. The only few moments that I wanted to be more public in the digital space, was due to my friends urging me to do so (and on LinkedIn). I am (and will continue to be) only socially engaged in the digital world with my friends and I will not be easily swayed to be more sociable or join other social media platforms anymore!
Why are you in our house? How do you know our son? It’s called the internet.
– Leo Allen
Safe Digital Practice
Just as my social digital practice has not drastically changed throughout the years, my awareness of the possible dangers of the digital world did not either. Due to me constantly being reminded of ‘stranger danger’ starting from my early childhood in the physical world, I was also extremely cautious in the digital space by e.g. continuing being antisocial.
As I grew older, I realised that I kept (and still keep) forgetting many things, however ‘the internet never forgets’ will always be engraved in my brain. A lot of my peers in secondary school had (unfortunately) learnt this the hard way and I slowly saw how anything in the digital space could easily be shared to anyone and exist (somewhere) forever. It was due to this that I want to be as anonymous as possible in the digital space, except when I need to come and stay in contact with others.
My slight disinterest in the social parts of the digital world, has luckily prevented me from doing something foolish in the digital world. Whenever I contemplate about being more public in the digital space, I ask myself: “Do I really want this to be forever in the world and to be seen by strangers?” and the answer is always a firm “No”. Unfortunately, there are many who do not ask themselves this question…
Interlinked Analogue and Digital Practice
My digital practice was formed based on my analogue life and especially my late exposure to the digital world. I had not discovered the digital world until my late childhood, after which I steadily learned how to engage with it. This explains my slight disinterest in engaging with it besides primarily convenience, connection and entertainment for myself and friends.
During the COVID-pandemic, many people could not do much else than live in the digital world, which had lasting effects on many. Even before the pandemic, were children able to use a mobile device at a younger age than before. This has phenomenon has probably been amplified ever since the pandemic and its aftermath. As people spent a lot time in the digital world since their early childhood, I’m afraid that their presence will also mostly be in that space even when they grow up.
Having said that, I also think it is still a bit too early to claim that this must only have negative consequences. Many developed countries aim for innovation and digitalisation, thus will the newest generation grow up with a society that prioritises them. While I am a little bit nervous about current digital practises of many, I have not lost complete hope in humanity (yet).
Bibliography
- Barbienostalgia (2021). Instagram post, 02-02-2021. Accessed on 21-09-2024. https://www.instagram.com/barbienostalgia/p/CKzRIqoHhR6/?img_index=1
- “Barbie Girls® Online Community,” Mattel Global Consumer Support, https://service.mattel.com/us/TechnicalProductDetail.aspx?prodno=M8700&siteid=27&catid1=447#:~:text=The%20international%20Barbie%20Girls%20websites,experience%20the%20best%20of%20Barbie.
- Edvasian (2023). “The Chronically Online Generation – Over Sharing is Bad,” YouTube Video. Uploaded on 18-01-2023. Accessed on 21-09-2024, 16:14. https://youtu.be/yfHy7yxwuEs?si=N2tAKi2IEI8kWEAF
- Kabali, Hilda K, Matilde M Irigoyen, Rosemary Nunez-Davis, Jennifer G Budacki, Sweta H Mohanty, Kristin P Leister, and Robert L Bonner. “Exposure and Use of Mobile Media Devices by Young Children.” Pediatrics (Evanston) 136, no. 6 (2015): 1044–50. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-2151.
- Allen, L (2008). ‘“It’s Called the Internet”- Leo Allen – Full Special,’ YouTube Video. Uploaded on 12-07-2024. Accessed on 23-09-2024. https://youtu.be/1Zk6V8cqmOs?feature=shared.
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