Are adults equipped to teach young people about the internet

45771

Total votes

12436

5-11 votes

33335

11-16+ votes

This VoteTopic was in celebration of Safer Internet Day on the 6th February and we asked voters to consider the “digital divide” between them and the older figures in their lives.

College & 16+ students considered: “Are older generations equipped to teach young people about the online world?”, Secondary students answered: “Are adults equipped to teach you about the online world?”, Primary 7-11 voters were asked: “Do adults have the tools to teach you about the online world?”, while Primary 5-7 voters discussed: “Can adults and children learn from each other about the online world?”

Age 5-11 voter

Yes because they can teach children to stay away from links so they don't get scammed by anybody.

Age 11-16 voter

Adults grew up with very different technology to what we have now so we do not feel they are equipped to deal with the specific things we do online today.

Age 16+ voter

The older generation aren't educated enough to teach younger people about the internet because they are digital immigrants and we are digital natives.

86% of 5-7-year olds said that adults and children can learn from each other about the online world.

5-7-year-olds discussed the questions, "Can adults and children learn from each other about the online world?"
86% voted 'Yes'.

55% of voters aged 7-11 said that adults have the tools to teach them about the online world.

Voters aged 7-11 discussed the question, "Do adults have the tools to teach you about the online world?"
55% voted 'Yes'.

75% of voters aged 11-18+ said older generations aren't equipped to teach them about the online world.

11-16-year olds were discussing the question, "Are adults equipped to teach you about the online world?"
College and 16+ students discussed the question, "Are older generations equipped to teach young people about the online world?"
Both age categories had majority 'No' votes.

Many argued that adults have had a different experience with the online world to young people.

One of the main reasons Secondary, College & 16+ students gave was that adults have had a very different experience of being online compared to today, and do not necessarily have the specific skills to help.
Others argued that it is difficult for adults to keep up with the pace of the online world.