Invisible Maps: Internet Usage and Perception

Gen Z and Technology 

Growing up in generation Z means that I am fluent in digital technology, have never been confused by its processes, which come naturally to me, and always turn to it for social and emotional support.

Or so everyone is inclined to believe.

The truth? I'm not as digitally competent as others may think. If there's something wrong with your phone, the only advice I've got before sending you to the Apple Store is to restart it. Once, I spent about ten minutes looking for the "Next Step" page trying to fill out an application form, and I usually need my dad's help when I'm transferring my photos from my computer to my phone.

Image Source: Investopedia

That being said, I do spend more time than those older than me using the Internet as a way to connect with people, conduct more in-depth research on historical figures, and check at least three movie review sites before committing to theater tickets. But I also do quick searches for words I don't recognize, type in quick directions to a new restaurant, or check library job sites intermittently, functioning more as a visitor than a resident of the Internet.

The notion that because I am young, I must be a "digital native" has only some truth to it, as I have grown up with a better understand of how digital sites work, but I am by no means an expert.

How and Why People Use the Internet

David White has defined two distinct users of the Internet as "visitors" who have a specific task in mind and find their answers quickly, and "residents" who go online to connect with other people and search for more in-depth answers. An example of a visitor would be someone who wanted to know what the capital of Ireland is, while a resident would search for top ten best places to explore in Dublin.

But the rapid development and engagement of technology have led personal digital use to become more and more ingrained in our daily lives. Especially in America, a highly consumer-driven country, most of our online activities involve entertainment, sales, and marketing. Using a DIY style map, I've placed a series of digital tools that I use daily on a spectrum of professional or personal levels, as well as whether I function as a resident or a visitor.

Image Source: Canva Personal Image Creation

I believe I have admitted my addiction to Instagram in a previous post, and that remains true in this map as I only use it for entertainment purposes alongside Pinterest and Spotify. But some of the more entertainment-esque apps, such as Spotify, YouTube, and Duolingo, I use in a less frequent and sometimes more professional context, which surprised me. I've been learning Spanish to become a better translator at my current library role, and often I use YouTube to learn more about historical figures and events.

 My professional experience with using Zoom and LinkedIn has become more enhanced and important post-pandemic, as these features allow for professional development digitally. Additionally, my professional relationship with Canva has quickly merged into a facet that I use daily, and occasionally for personal use, while checking Google and my Gmail account lie at the center of my daily usage. Interestingly enough, my digital personal and professional lives have started to become entwined, and while that is not necessarily a bad thing, it is certainly reflective of my personality.

That being said, it can be helpful to see your online habits and uses laid out in a visual format to become a more self-aware user and consumer of all of these technologies. What are you giving the most time to online? Make a map for yourself! You'll be surprised by what you find, and how you might want to change your usage...