The Digital Boom

Digital is the new world order. The new digital era has made its indelible mark on all the spectrum of modern living.  Ranging from digital signature to digital imaging, from digital processing to digital banking, no doubt it has made life a lot easier for the modern living. It has changed the way we relate, communicate, travel and do business. The digital era enables us to ignore time and space, to be in contact with people living in other continents as if they live next door, to do business with people in any country, to acquire whole new perspectives on life, to have friends online overnight, to study in any university from other countries and yet live in India, and much more. We use a growing range of digital lifestyle technologies at home, in schools and colleges, work places, on the street, in cars, in trains, and in planes — they have altered every aspect of our daily lives.

The digital bang has been rapid with explosive surge in broadband growth and soaring mobile numbers. One research found that 93 per cent of the urban Indian homes have a mobile phone, placing them ahead of Japanese households with 89 per cent having it. Of these, 63 per cent kids (7 to 14 years of age) use the mobile phone at least once a week. Welcome to the fabulous digital world!

Digital technologies have brought about sweeping changes in the lives of teenagers too. The virtual world has an important role to play for the younger generation. Today, the teenagers far prefer the online computer to TV, radio and magazines. They use it for instant messaging, information, e-mailing and entertainment etc. As a result the youth already reflect global trends with regard to their study, career and relationships.

The major implications brought about by the digital boom cannot and should not be ignored. The teenagers on their part should be on their guard against the misuse of these technologies and formulate plans for their future ensuring good and maximum utility of the digital world. The future of the nation, its ethos and values depend on today’s digital savvy youth. Friends, don’t ever forget that India’s future lies in your hands.