Cited by 2,971Generational Differences and TrendsDigital Media and PhilosophyDigital Education and Society

The ‘digital natives’ debate: A critical review of the evidence

Bennett, Sue, Maton, Karl, Kervin, Lisa·2008·British Journal of Educational Technology

Abstract

The idea that a new generation of students is entering the education system has excited recent attention among educators and education commentators. Termed ‘digital natives’ or the ‘Net generation’, these young people are said to have been immersed in technology all their lives, imbuing them with sophisticated technical skills and learning preferences for which traditional education is unprepared. Grand claims are being made about the nature of this generational change and about the urgent necessity for educational reform in response. A sense of impending crisis pervades this debate. However, the actual situation is far from clear. In this paper, the authors draw on the fields of education and sociology to analyse the digital natives debate. The paper presents and questions the main claims made about digital natives and analyses the nature of the debate itself. We argue that rather than being empirically and theoretically informed, the debate can be likened to an academic form of a ‘moral panic’. We propose that a more measured and disinterested approach is now required to investigate ‘digital natives’ and their implications for education.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1467-8535.2007.00793.x

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Authors
Bennett, S., Maton, K., & Kervin, L.
Affiliations
  • University of Wollongong (AU)
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
Venue
British Journal of Educational Technology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2008-08-19
Volume
39
Issue
5
Pages
775-786
ISSN
  • 0007-1013 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-8535
OpenAlex
W2147139740
Cited by
2,971
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 83 · 2025: 102 · 2024: 97 · 2023: 144 · 2022: 148 · 2021: 139 · 2020: 190 · 2019: 181 · 2018: 203 · 2017: 175 · 2016: 181 · 2015: 240 · 2014: 234 · 2013: 230 · 2012: 199
FWCI
373.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • British Journal of Educational Technology (publishedVersion)
  • Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Generational Differences and Trends
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Science Applications › Digital Media and Philosophy
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Digital Education and Society
Keywords
digital natives, generational change, educational reform, moral panic, technology and learning, learning styles, digital technology in education, sociology of education

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