Digital Idiot

       Why do adults assume that teenagers are so technologically advanced? Yes, we know how to perform the basic, yet incredibly challenging in the eyes of some adults, tasks such as turning on the computer, pausing a video, and making a table in a Word document. While we may navigate social media and elementary computer programs with ease, we are NOT computer geniuses. Well, that’s not fair. Some teenagers are proficient in complex tech skills, but that is not to say we all are.

       I am a computer idiot. A novice, a rookie, a noob. I don’t know how to upload a video to YouTube, and I once had to Google how to turn on a Mac computer. I am here to admit to every adult that gives teenagers way more credit than we deserve: teenagers are not all computer wizards.

       The reason that adults assume such things, are because we are growing up in an age filled with technology more advanced than they ever could have imagined as a kid (expect for the hover board of course). We can access information in seconds. We can share photos with ease. We can even, while would never admit it, find the exact answers to all our homework with the tap of our fingers. This doesn’t mean we know computers. This means that have learned a basic-BASIC skill, and apply it daily.

       So what does it mean to be a computer wiz? To me, it means not having to ask your dad for help every time your printer disconnects from your computer, but in reality, it has something to do with the skill rising in importance and popularity: programming.

Programming and coding skills are beginning to be taught at a very young age, sometimes even in elementary school. For example, in Egypt, there is a 14 year old boy qualified to teach the programming language C++ at a college level. But more commonly, it is taught less rigorously, through fun and interesting programs, like the Coder Dojo located in my home town. No matter how intense the training, the truth is that these types of kids are the real computer geniuses.

       Now that digital literacy is becoming such a relevant skill set, especially for young people yet to enter the work force, we need to stop convincing teens that just because they know that you can’t zoom in on an Instagram picture, they are computer geniuses. Instead, let’s stress the education of actual skills, that will be valuable in the real world.