Youngsters get organised with tech

SA's youth increasingly use technology to engage with social issues, according to Intel and Lenovo.

As a result, educators need to go beyond teaching basic technology skills, and enable meaningful experiences for the youth.

These were the key findings that emerged from the Shift series of events run by Intel and Lenovo, where industry players engage with tech-savvy young people on current issues and trends.

“We need to realise - and fast - that technology is not a tool that our youth pick up and put down as it suits them. It is literally embedded in their lives,” says Ntombezinhle Modiselle, country manager for Intel SA.

“The feedback has been clear: the youth are using technology to turn their idealism and desire for change into reality faster than ever before.

“They want to contribute to economic reforms, the improvement of public services and many other aspects of society. And to them, the best way to contribute to these changes is often through technology.”

According to Modiselle, an aspect of technology that is often overlooked is that it gives the youth a platform to interact with their peers and discuss significant issues.

“Today, the internet allows the youth to directly engage organisations, governments and other stakeholders. They can criticise government leaders for their shortcomings. They can organise themselves like never before,” says Modiselle.

“Modern technology has encouraged them to speak up and be counted.

“The emergent challenge for educators is to develop critical thinking skills around technology. They need to be taken beyond simple access to technology to a more nuanced experimentation.”

Monique de Klerk, marketing manager at Lenovo, says: “It's important to recognise that technology in itself is not going to solve the problems of communities, but it is a primary tool that can be used to help bridge social and economic obstacles.”

Modiselle adds that there is great opportunity to nurture a new generation of aware, savvy and critically conscious 20-somethings.

“To do that, we've got to change the way we view technology right now, and focus on creativity as much as pure access.”