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The phrase “digital native” has misled an entire generation. Adults assume that because young people grow up with smartphones and social media, they automatically understand technology.

But scroll culture is not digital competence. And assuming youth already know everything prevents them from receiving the training they actually need.

This myth harms young people. Employers expect youth to master digital tools without teaching them. Teachers assume students understand software they’ve never seen before. Policymakers design programs based on stereotypes instead of reality. And when youth struggle, they blame themselves instead of recognising the lack of support.

Digital education is more than knowing how to use apps. It includes coding, cybersecurity, ethical digital behavior, online communication, digital design, content creation, media literacy, and understanding how digital systems shape society. These are skills that open doors to modern careers — yet many young people never get the chance to learn them.

Youth workers see this gap firsthand. In YMCA programs, many participants arrive feeling insecure about technology. They worry they’re “not good enough,” even though they simply haven’t been taught. But once they receive training in a supportive environment — with hands-on workshops instead of judgment — everything changes. Confidence grows. Curiosity returns. Skills develop.

Digital education is empowerment. It gives youth the tools to express themselves, collaborate internationally, fight misinformation, and participate in society with confidence. It turns consumers into creators. It transforms fear into opportunity.

To support youth properly, we must stop assuming they “already know” and start teaching what truly matters.

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