Digital natives vs. Digital immigrants: how generational perspectives shape tech adoption

Who are digital natives and digital immigrants?

Exposed to technology right from birth, digital natives are individuals who have grown up in the digital world, primarily Generation Z (typically individuals born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s) and younger millennials (born from the early to mid-1990s). They have been familiar to digital technology for almost all their lives, making them intuitively tech-savvy. 

In contrast, digital immigrants are individuals who witnessed the revolutionary shift to the digital world. Older generations, predominantly including Baby boomers (born between the mid-1940s and the mid-1960s) and older Generation X (people born between the early 1960s to the early 1980s), can be categorized as digital immigrants. 

Tech perceptions through the ages 

Having grown up with evolving technology and being accustomed to seeing and using computers, the internet, and mobile devices from a very young age, digital natives have an inherent comfort with technology. They gravitate toward digital communication, entertainment, and even socialising. Having never experienced a world without technology, anything not technologically driven may leave them feeling uneasy. 

Digital natives are more likely to be proficient at managing multiple screens and devices, and efficiently process information from various sources simultaneously. They are also more open to embracing and experimenting with new technologies, thereby paving the way for innovation. 

On the contrary, digital immigrants were introduced to digital technology much later in life, wherein they had to learn and unlearn to keep pace with the changing world. For them, tech is a skill or a tool and not necessarily an indispensable part of life. 

As adults with established routines, adapting to new technology can be challenging, especially when you are highly proficient in old methods. This transition can be frustrating and may require you to step out of your comfort zone, which can be demotivating as it essentially means starting from scratch with new tools. 

Digital immigrants may experience knowledge gaps when adapting and are often sceptical to trust the capabilities of new tech. 

Leading a tech inclusive, diverse workforce 

Disparity in thoughts and views of how Gen Z and Baby Boomers perceive technology is fascinating. It is very well illustrated in the latest edition of our Trends Report. These insights can offer valuable guidance for effectively managing a multigenerational workspace. It can help in creating flexible options that cater to all demographics, promoting a collaborative working environment where each generation can contribute their strengths and complement one another, fostering collective growth.

Learn more about facing the challenges of digital adoption in Advanced's Eighth Annual Business Trends Report