THE FASCINATION OF DIGITAL NATIVES

BY Tebrimam Chris Sika and Desmond Onyemechi Okocha

For many young people today, the smartphone is more than a device for making calls. It is a camera, television, classroom, newspaper, shopping centre, bank, escape from the outside world, even a source of income. This growing attachment to digital technology has become one of the defining characteristics of what is often described as the digital native generation.

Digital natives are a generation born during or after the rise of digital technology who have grown up surrounded by computers, smartphones and the internet. And it has become a part of their daily life. Unlike older generations who had adapted to smartphones, computers and social media later in life, digital natives have been exposed to these technologies from childhood. They are comfortable navigating social media platforms, online watching videos, playing digital games and communicating. 

Their fascination with the digital world is easy to understand. Technology has made communication faster and more convenient. A young person in Nigeria can wake up and immediately find out what is happening in another part of the world. With a few touches on a phone. For example, a student can access lectures, articles, dictionaries, and educational videos without having to visit a library. This is particularly significant in a country with a very young population. DataReportal reported that 13.9 percent of the Nigerian population was between the ages of 18 and 24 at the beginning of 2025, while another 14.1 per cent was between 25 to 34. With such a large proportion of the population made up of young people, digital technology has naturally become an important part of b how many Nigerians communicate, learn, entertain, themselves and pursue opportunities   

Social media has also become a major part of the fascination. Platforms such as tiktok, instagram, snapchat , youtube and x have created spaces where young people can express themselves, display their talents and interact with others. A young makeup artist, for example, can record a short video showing how she transforms a client's face and post it on tiktok and reach people who may eventually become customers.In the past she might have depended mainly on referrals or traditional advertising to attract clients. Today her phone can help display her skills, build an audience and promote her business beyond the people she already knows. A musician, comedian, lash tech, artist no longer has to wait for a traditional media organization to discover them before reaching an audience. With a smartphone it is possible to build an audience from one's bedroom.

For many digital natives, the internet is also a place of opportunity. Some young Nigerians now earn money through online business, freelancing, influencing,content creation, the digital has moved beyond entertainment it is a source of living for digital natives.

However, this fascination has its disadvantages. Spending long hours online. Can affect concentration and reduce the amount of time young people spend interacting physically with family and friends. It also reduces deep thinking and creativity. There is also a problem of misinformation. Because information can spread within seconds, digital natives can easily come across false news, manipulated photographs, and misleading videos. Not everything that is popular online is necessarily true. They can also come across content that is explicit online. Another concern created by social media is young people are constantly exposed to carefully selected images of others peoples lives. This can create unrealistic expectations about beauty, wealth, relationships and success. 

Despite these challenges, it would be unfair to describe digital technology simply as a distraction. The technology itself is neither entirely good nor bad. Much depends on how it is used. The fascination of digital natives therefore reflects more than their love for gadgets. It represents a generation that has become accustomed to instant access, constant communication and endless possibilities online.

As technology continues to develop, digital natives will remain at the centre of this transformation. Their ability to adapt may be one of their greatest strengths, but knowing when to put the phone down may be just as important