digital natives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'digital natives' is a correct and usable part of written English.
It is used to refer to people who were born and raised during the digital age and grew up using technology as a natural part of their daily lives. For example, you could say "The digital natives in the classroom had no trouble navigating the online resources presented during the lesson."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're digital natives.

The Guardian - Tech

Again, English, thanks for "digital natives".

The New York Times

Digital natives are entering their prime shopping years.

The Economist

So tax issues are what today's digital natives call #FirstWorldProblems.

Independent

But digital natives is what you want to concentrate on".

The Guardian - Tech

New parents today kick-start digital natives' online dossiers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"These digital natives genuinely prefer to read a printed book.

The Guardian - Tech

There may be different tribes of digital natives, though.

The Guardian - Tech

"The students are really digital natives," he said.

The New York Times

Digital natives is an overused buzzphrase, but it's still accurate.

The Guardian - Tech

"Electronic music is digital music created by digital natives for consumption by digital natives," said the 65-year-old Mr. Sillerman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of technology on younger generations, use "digital natives" to highlight their inherent understanding and comfort with digital tools.

Common error

Don't assume that everyone within the "digital natives" generation possesses equal technological skills or access. Digital literacy varies significantly based on socioeconomic factors and educational opportunities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "digital natives" functions primarily as a noun, specifically a plural noun, used to describe a group of people. It is often employed to categorize and discuss individuals who have grown up with digital technology as an integral part of their lives. Ludwig confirms that this is a well-established and commonly used term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "digital natives" accurately describes individuals who have grown up with digital technology. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various fields. It helps characterize a generation that possesses a natural affinity for digital tools and environments. While it's a widely recognized term, it’s important to acknowledge that digital literacy can vary within this group. Alternative phrases like "net generation" or "tech-savvy generation" offer slightly different perspectives. However, "digital natives" remains the most common and widely understood term for this generation. The most frequent contexts for the term are News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

digital generation

A more general term emphasizing the influence of digital technology on a specific age cohort.

tech-savvy generation

Emphasizes technological proficiency, a key characteristic of digital natives.

net generation

Focuses on the internet's role in shaping this generation, emphasizing their online presence.

internet generation

Stresses the internet's impact, but might not fully capture the ingrained nature of technology.

millennials

Refers to a broader age group, but often overlaps with the concept of digital fluency.

wired generation

Implies constant connectivity, another defining feature of those growing up with the internet.

generation z

Represents the generation succeeding millennials, also characterized by digital integration.

digital residents

Highlights the comfortable inhabitation of digital spaces, a more passive role than native.

screenagers

Highlights the prevalence of screens in their lives, a common experience for digital natives.

information age children

Focuses on access to information as a defining trait, influencing their learning and perspectives.

FAQs

How can I use "digital natives" in a sentence?

You can use "digital natives" to describe individuals who grew up with technology. For example: "The curriculum is designed to cater to the learning styles of "digital natives"."

What's another way to say "digital natives"?

Alternatives include "net generation", "millennials", or "tech-savvy generation", depending on the specific context.

Is it accurate to describe all young people as "digital natives"?

While many young people have grown up with technology, it's important to recognize that access and skill levels vary. Not all young people are equally "tech savvy" or have the same level of digital literacy.

What's the difference between "digital natives" and "digital immigrants"?

"Digital natives" are those who grew up with technology, while "digital immigrants" are those who adopted technology later in life. Digital immigrants may approach technology differently than "digital natives".