Digitalization and Generation Z: Advantages and Disadvantages of Digitalization ^*

Abstract

Generation Z refers to those born during a time when the internet and technology were available to practically everyone in education, social life and employment. Because Generation Z was born during a period of rapid technical growth and digital transition, it is also known as the ‘Digital Generation’. Digitalization is one of the developments that best symbolizes the twenty-first century, and it has both benefits and drawbacks. Because of its strong link with digitization, Generation Z is seen as the generation that experiences these benefits and drawbacks the most intensely. For this reason, the disadvantages as well as the advantages it provides to Generation Z come into question as an important issue. Generation Z benefits from digitalization in many ways, including faster and easier access to information, the elimination of time and space constraints in many issues, easier access to various needs such as shopping, education, entertainment and communication, faster completion of work that needs to be done, the ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time and the establishment of a universal perspective. Disadvantages include distraction, screen addiction beginning in childhood, diminished capacity to conduct business using traditional ways, cyber dangers and decreases in personal information security, and future risk to individual security from sharing on social media platforms. All of this highlights the necessity of understanding the benefits and drawbacks of digitalization for Generation Z, called as the Digital Generation.

Citation

Olçum, G. and Gülova, A.A. (2023), "Digitalization and Generation Z: Advantages and Disadvantages of Digitalization ^* ", Akkaya, B. and Tabak, A. (Ed.) Two Faces of Digital Transformation, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 31-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-096-020231003