Digital Media Effect on People Varies Greatly
Then there’s online education: programmes such as coursera offer online courses from different universities. Professional social networks such as LinkedIn allow for networking, while talent platforms like Upwork help to source the best contingent talent.
However, digital media usage has to be managed well, especially when it comes to the extent of usage, the type of social interaction and the nature of the content accessed.
According to the survey, the least positive effects were reported in the personal sphere. While roughly four out of 10 respondents reported positive effects on long-term memory, attention span, the ability to find a partner, stress and health, about one in 10 respondents found those same areas to be negatively affected.
Doubts in the developed world
The survey didn’t just throw up differences between people: countries, too, returned varied results. While perceptions in emerging markets such as China and Brazil were largely positive (in China, two-thirds agree that digital media use has improved their quality of life), opinions in Germany and the United States were less enthusiastic. In Germany, for instance, only 30% agree (and 24% disagree) that digital media use has improved their quality of life. The differences are astonishing.
The results could point to two hypotheses. First, that the opportunities digital media offers developing countries are more significant than in established markets. Second, it could also mean that people who have had a longer experience of using digital media also see some of the potential downsides. Less physical connection, blurring boundaries between work and private lives, and an increase in hate speech and defamation.
While the underlying reasons should be researched in more detail, we can already conclude that digital media brings both benefits and risks, all depending on how it is used.
This article is part of a series of posts from the Shaping the Future Implications of Digital Media for Society project.
