29/11/2022
In the next 50 years…
A digital citizen is a person who uses the internet and the digital world to develop
their skills and knowledge. They are a person that utilises the web in a responsible
and conscious way to connect with their society and politics.
2019 marked the first 50th anniversary of first digital person to person connection that
ever occurred. Many aspects of internet interactions changed since the first launch of
the digital world and since the beginning of the internet.
In an article I have read titled ‘Experts Optimistic About the Next 50 Years of Digital
Life’ the authors speak about the predictions external experts have on the topic, they
say: ‘In the next 50 years digital advances will lead to longer lifespans, greater
leisure, more equitable distributions of wealth and power and other possibilities to
enhance human well-being. At the same time, nearly all of these experts’ written
predictions included warnings about the possibilities of greater surveillance and data-
abuse practices by corporations and governments, porous security for digitally
connected systems and the prospect of greater economic inequality and digital
divides unless policy solutions push societies in different directions.’
In current times it’s not surprising to hear of people miss using the internet. Internet
‘trolls’ (bullies) are an everyday occurrence. The exchange of illegal goods on the
black market is still at large, and people exploit their digital accounts greatly.
Although many negative effects of the internet are evident, many positive aspects
occur from internet use also.
In the next 50 years I believe that people will be unable to live digital free. Due to
many businesses moving their resources online, even everyday establishments such
as banks, credit unions, doctors etc. it will be impossible to function without some
sort of online involvement.
I believe that education will improve as a whole. Due to the wide range of online
resources that are available to students, online learning has become very
accessible. This is evident especially through interactive programs such as Virtual
Environments in TUD. I can imagine that the scale of such modules will increase in
the next coming years.
References
KATHLEEN STANSBERRY, JANNA ANDERSON AND LEE RAINIE. 2019. Experts Optimistic About the
Next 50 Years of Digital Life. October 28.
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2019/10/28/experts-optimistic-about-the-next-50-years-of-digital-
life.
Exist to Live 