Digital Technology Over a Lifetime

Photo by: Photopin “Staying in Touch” Ben Beard

Today, many of us are introduced to Technology and digital devices from as early as birth. [1]

Photo by: Flickr “ Power User” Alec Couros

Between the ages of 0 and 8 years old, children spend a quarter (27%) of their screen time using digital devices.

[1]

Photo by: Flickr “Photo by: Flickr “Grandpa & GrandsonGrandpa & Grandson” Alec Couros” Alec Couros

The digital technology children use includes computers, handheld and console video game players and other interactive mobile devices such as cell phones and tablet devices.[1]

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/zero-to-eight-childrens-media-use-in-americaGoogle Scholar

Photo by: Flickr “Photo by: Flickr “IMG_0215IMG_0215” Carson Savage” Carson Savage

Not only children are experiencing this shift in technology. More than a quarter (29)%) of all parents have downloaded “apps” for their children to use. [1]

Many families are also pet owners, using digital technology and social media to shop, blog, email, find information, network and advertise things about their pets. [2]

Photo by: Flickr “Cats and Gadgets” Melinda Seckington

Packaged Facts conducted a survey about pet owner’s time spent viewing products online for their pet. The study revealed that, 41% of pet product buyers agree they use the Internet to find information about pet care services, and 39% agree they use the Internet to help choose which pet foods to buy. ”[2]

Photo by:Flickr “ Photo by:Flickr “ Concept with eyesConcept with eyes” Krzysztof Urbanowicz” Krzysztof Urbanowicz

Photo by: Photopin DG Jones

The growth of the digital world is creating various ways for people to purchase and consume products. The digital shift is amplifying traditional ways we once received information. [4]

Photo by: Photopin “On The Train” Giuseppe Milo

And just 2% of lower-income children have a tablet device such as an iPad at home, compared to 17% of higher-income children. [7]

Although, the advances in digital technology can be great, there is a divide amongst its users. [7]

Among lower-income children, 27% have a parent with a smartphone, compared to 57% for higher-income children. [7]

One in 10 (10%) lower-income children has a video iPod or similar device in the home, compared to one in three (34%) upper-income children. [7]

Photo by: Flickr “Rusty 2.0” Rusty Stewart

According to Kim Kyungo’s article “Understanding older individual’s emotional response to new technology” evidence exists that shows digital technologies improve older adults quality of life by enabling them to become more physically and mentally active. [5]

A person’s age can also create a divide in digital literacy.

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“But, the unfortunate reality is that only small percentages of older adults have been using new technology to improve their quality of life. “ [5]

Photo by: Flickr “Cracked Iphone” Pricenfees

Even though, some technologies have been made to motivate older adults to adopt a healthier lifestyle. We should first understand their interaction process with new and diverse digital devices. [5]

Photo by: Flickr “Photo by: Flickr “Old AgeOld Age” Pedro Ribeiro Simoes” Pedro Ribeiro Simoes

“Once we develop an authentic understanding of older adults day-to-day experiences, we will then have a deeper knowledge of what they really need and want for their healthy aging.”[5]

Photo by: Flickr “Technology” Global Panorama

The last thing I do before I go to bed:

is check my phone 65+: 18%, 18-24: 73% I often use other devices while watching TV65+: 42%, 18-24: 79% I often watch a number of episodes of a show back to back 65+: 43% 18-24: 87% [6]

When nothing is occupying my attention, the first thing I do:

is reach for my phone 65+:10% agree, 18- 24: 77% agree

I check my phone at least every 30 minutes 65+: 6%, 18-24: 52% [6]

Statistics

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“86% (29,760,764) of Canadians are Internet

users, second only to the UK at 87% and

followed by Germany at 84%.”[3]

“Canadian households spend an average of 49 hours/day accessing the Internet through a desktop or laptop computer and 19 hours/day connecting through a mobile device.”[3]

“We have the highest social media network

penetration in the World.  82% of Canadians use a

social network by comparison to 75% of

Americans. “[3]

“91% of Canadian Internet users have a social media account and 66% have used social media in the past month.” [3]

Statistics

Photo by: Flickr “Embraced” YuMaNuMa

Although digital technology enhances our quality of life and amplifies the rate in which we receive information we must not forget to take the time to disconnect from our devices and reconnect with the world.

Photo by: Flickr “How Does Digital Technology Affect You?” Scott Schopieray

• Photo by: Photopin “Descent”hoto by: Photopin “Descent” Jules Antonio • Photo by: Flickr “Old Age” Pedro Ribeiro SimoesPhoto by: Flickr “Old Age” Pedro Ribeiro Simoes• Photo by: Flickr “Grandpa & Grandson” Alec CourosPhoto by: Flickr “Grandpa & Grandson” Alec Couros• Photo by: Flickr “IMG_0215” Carson SavagePhoto by: Flickr “IMG_0215” Carson Savage• Photo by:Flickr “ Concept with eyes” Krzysztof UrbanowiczPhoto by:Flickr “ Concept with eyes” Krzysztof Urbanowicz• Photo by: Flickr “Cats and Gadgets” Melinda Seckington• Photo by: Flickr “Rusty 2.0 “ Rusty Stewart• Photo by: Photopin DG Jones • Photo by: Photopin “Staying in Touch” Ben Beard • Photo by: Photopin ”Welcome to the death star” MattFromLondon• Photo by: Photopin “On The Train” Giuseppe Milo • Photo by: Photopin “Bookends” Namaste04 • Photo by: Flickr “ Power User” Alec Couros• Photo by: Flickr “Technology” Global Panorama• Photo by: Flickr “Cracked Iphone” Pricenfees• Photo by: Flickr “Embraced” YuMaNuMa• Photo by: Flickr “How Does Digital Technology Affect You?” Scott Schopieray

Photo CitationsPhoto Citations

Bibliography [1] "Zero to Eight: Children's Media Use in America." Common Sense Media. N.p., 25 Oct. 2011. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.  [2] Facts, Packaged. "Packaged Facts: For U.S. Pet Market, the Internet Is Where Information Meets Opportunity." PR Newswire: news distribution, targeting and monitoring. N.p., 21 Dec. 2015. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.

[3] McKinnon, Melody. "Canadian Digital, Social and Mobile Statistics on a Global Scale 2014." Canadian's Internet Business. N.p., 10 Aug. 2016. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.

[4] Fulgoni, Gian M. "Omni-Channel Retail Insights and the Consumers' Path-to-Purchase: How Digital Has Transformed the Way People Make Purchasing Decisions ." Journal of advertising research . 4th ed. Vol. 54. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 377-80. Print.

[5] Kyungo, Kim. "Understanding Older ndividuals' Emotional Responses to New Technology Associated With Healthy Lifestyle Choice." Journal of Physical Education and Sport. 2nd ed. Vol. 14. N.p.: n.p., 2014. 138-47. Print.

[6] Krashinsky, Susan. "Advertisers cash in on attention spans of digitally savvy Canadians." The Globe and Mail. N.p.: n.p., 2015. N. pag. Print.

[7] Zero to Eight: Children's Media Use in America | Common Sense Media." Digital Divide | Common Sense Media. N.p., 25 Oct. 2011. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.