The rapid integration of modern digital tools into daily life significantly shapes the behaviour and expectations of today’s workforce. Often associated with the ‘net generation’, this cohort grows up immersed in the digital age, surrounded by the internet, mobile phones and video games. As these advanced digital capabilities emerge, young people quickly adopt these technologies, using them for social connections, niche interests and non-commercial interactions. This early exposure to digital platforms fosters a new generation with an expectation of seamless, instantaneous communication and interaction.
As this generation enters the workforce, they bring their expectations for digital tools and fast-paced interaction to the workplace. These young professionals demand technologies that allow them to work at the “internet speed” they are accustomed to, with tools enabling collaboration, real-time communication and efficient information sharing. Organisations that align their workplace technologies with these expectations are better positioned to improve productivity and enhance employee engagement.
However, the digital landscape is not easily divided into two groups: ‘digital natives’ and ‘digital immigrants’. While these terms help categorise those who grow up with technology versus those who adopt it later in life, the reality is more complex. Psychosocial attributes and individual experiences influence how people interact with technology. As a result, some individuals born into the digital age show little interest in or engagement with technology, while some older individuals, who initially struggle with digital tools, become highly proficient and natural users.
This phenomenon is also shaped by intergenerational knowledge flows. Children frequently teach their parents or even grandparents to navigate digital platforms like YouTube, Facebook and smartphones, bridging the digital divide. In turn, older generations pass down skills and insights from their experiences, creating a two-way exchange of knowledge and perspectives across age groups.
Despite these complexities, it is evident that the digital generation currently entering the workforce brings a shift in attitudes toward technology. Their preference for agile, user-centric tools pushes companies to adopt solutions that cater to these demands. As these generational traits become more prominent, businesses must re-evaluate their technological strategies to ensure they remain relevant and competitive in an increasingly digital world.
Dr Intikhab Ulfat
Karachi
