Special Report – Digital natives

First social networks, now the metaverse, are “becoming essential for the sense of being, for the existence, of youth”

Macau Business | October 2022 | Special Report | Chinese Millenials


Raymond Lai (Senior Instructor, Department of Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau) argues that each phase of civilization has had one dominant form of technology, and just as, for example, “the television set became the centre of the family living room in 1970s Macau, for younger people today the use of digital technology and the Internet has become part of their everyday lives.” The truth is that, among millennials’ many hallmarks, and those of Chinese millennials in particular, one is idiosyncratic: millennials are digital natives.

Although it is known that there is a phenomenon of division between those who have access to technologies and those who do not (the “digital divide”), it’s something that will be much more visible in Africa than in Asia, particularly in Greater China, where it can be said that virtually all young adults have access to at least one smartphone.

More controversial is talking about the consequences and benefits that can be derived from this mass use of digital technologies.

“Yes, undoubtedly [they are] a huge open door to the world. What’s more – to different worlds,” Professor Vítor Teixeira, University of Saint Joseph, concedes.

“But it is more than that, it is a way of being with others, meeting others and even a way of being oneself, presenting oneself as an individual. Indeed, being present in the digital world(s), not only on the social networks but now also in the metaverse, is becoming essential for the sense of being, for the existence of youth,” the Psychology Department Head explains.


“[Digital technologies are] a way of being with others, meeting others and even a way of being oneself, presenting oneself as an individual. Indeed, being present in the digital world(s), not only on the social networks but now also in the metaverse, is becoming essential for the sense of being, for the existence of youth” – Vítor Teixeira

Raymond Lai counters, “The use of digital technology is more than the purchase of a computer or a smartphone; it requires the installation of the necessary infrastructure in support of the information ecosystem.”

He adds, “The Government’s subsidies for children of low-income families, the option of Internet service subscription plans for education, the increasing popularity of open-source materials and the increasing number of budget gadgets should respond to the requirements of the families in need. Therefore, it is not necessarily always true that the younger generation will have a better understanding of the use of technology than the older one does.”

Mr Lai also addresses the issue that technology could be an open door to the world for these young people.

“People’s tradition, their cultural background, their beliefs, their identity and the needs of their work may explain and justify their selection of and access to information, through face-to-face interpersonal encounters or via a digital interface. Some have suggested that technology is meant to be ‘a gateway to the world’, in that people are offered a chance to be more exposed to the world. To put it simply, this implies a discussion about the extent to which the use of a form of technology allows people to learn about the world or the body of knowledge that their civilisation or their tradition shapes,” the Macau-based researcher states.

“Some believe that an increasing number of children wearing glasses and a number of new expressions like ‘FoMO’ (Fear of Missing Out), ‘phubbing’ and ‘smartphone slouching’ indicate changes in people’s habits as a result of the use of technologies, especially in today’s digital age. Various forms of bullying and scams are of concern to people, including parents, schools, law enforcement units, policy makers and the media,” Mr Lai adds.

USJ’s Professor Teixeira responds, “For a few years now, many authors have been referring to the concept of ‘expanded self’ (how the person I am is expanded by the way I present myself online) or even the ‘digital self’ (the person, or persons I use to present myself online). This is being created not just with a selection of ‘pictures of me’ to show oneself in a specific way, cultivating a specific image of oneself, but also with avatars created and modelled according to idealized selves.”


Internet addiction

Internet addiction (IA) and depression are common among adolescents and often co-occur.

A study based in Macau (primarily at the Psychiatry Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau) and published this year revealed that “Preoccupation with the internet”, “Neglecting of chores to spend more time online”, “Feelings of guilt” and “Requests for additional time online” were the most central symptoms within the model of coexisting IA and depression.

Two years earlier, some of study’s authors had also researched Internet addiction among adolescents in mainland China.

A total of 2892 secondary school students were included.

The overall prevalence of IA was 23.7 per cent, with 32.5 per cent in Macau and 19.8 per cent in mainland China. Students in Macau were more likely to suffer from IA than those in mainland China.

Correlates of IA included being in higher years at school, poor academic performance and more severe depressive symptoms. Students with IA reported lower quality of life in the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains.

So, “IA is common among Chinese adolescents, particularly in Macau. Considering the negative impact of IA on health and quality of life, regular screening and effective interventions should be undertaken for young Internet users,” the authors concluded.

(Several studies have confirmed that adolescent males were consistently reported to have a higher prevalence of Internet gaming disorder than females.)

“We must sensitize young people to protecting themselves better. As they are not very mature, it is easy for them to be induced to commit illegal acts”, the Chief Executive said last year regarding the risks that young people face online.

Ho Iat Seng was responding to legislator and director of Pui Ching Secondary School Kou Kam Fai, who revealed that more than 90 per cent of young people between the ages of 6 and 17 consume content online.

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