Introduction
Alongside with the rapid development of the digital era, the
global usage of Internet has exhibited an exponential growth within the past
few decades. This trend is particularly evident among the younger generations.
According to the Measuring the Information Society Report 2013 by International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), Malaysia emerged as having the fourth-highest
proportion of ‘digital natives’ in the world. On top of that, 90% of urban
youths are using the internet. (Soh, Chew & Ang, 2008) Yet, when these
‘digital natives’, representing the group of Generation X and younger, stumble
across the ‘digital immigrants’, specifically their parents, a family divide is
formed.
This generational gap is not computed solely on the age, but
also in terms of culture. Digital natives ‘speak and breathe the language of
computers’ whereas for digital immigrants, dealing with technology is just not
as easy as how the other group does. (Zur, O. & Walker, A, 2011). Zur and
Walker (2011) also mention that this situation will eventually cause ‘misunderstandings,
misperceptions, conflict, disharmony and communication breakdowns’. In order to narrow the family divide,
the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development should hold awareness
campaigns and relevant counselling courses to help families to achieve a
balance between technology management and family relationships.
Problem Identified
The Family Divide
First of all, the main impact of the divide towards family
relationships is directed to the context of communication. Due to the infinite
information that is available online, the kids are able to access any data that
they are interested in. Hence, it contradicts with the traditional family
culture where children will direct their curiosities to their parents. Rob Waugh
(2012) mentions that, 54% of the 6 to 15 years old in America said that they
tend to direct their questions to Google rather than their parents or teachers.
This can be projected as a future issue in Malaysia as children are more
dependent on Internet than earlier generations used to be.
On the other hand, the parents ‘struggle to gain proficiency
and comfort’ towards the modern technology which their children are already
well-versed in it. (Taylor, 2013) Therefore, when it comes to the issue of
controlling the usage of internet, they could not exhibit a sense of authority
towards their children with only nagging or even threatening about it. Children
might perceive that the parents could not understand the importance of internet
thus refuse to obey to the limitations. Conflicts are then created as both
sides try to ground their stands without trying to understand each other’s
considerations and anxiety. In short, technology not only leads to a
diminishing interaction between parents and children, but it also intensifies
the tension between parents and children.
Proposed Solutions
The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development are
responsible in expanding access of Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) on woman, families and communities. Apart from focusing on the basic
infrastructures to grant access of internet to families, the ministry should
consider the social consequences such as the family divide due to different
level of engagement in ICT. Awareness campaigns and relevant counselling courses to address such
problem should be conducted.
Awareness Campaign
For example, in conjunction with the ministry’s effort to encourage
the internet access within families, more concerns should be given to those
digital immigrants in families who are avoiding the technology invasion. Those
who are unwilling to adopt technology as part of their daily lives are more
likely to have passive perceptions towards the benefits that are mentioned.
Just as what Zur and Walker (2011) imply, the ‘avoiders’ could not see the
value in the usage of internet. The ministry should consider approaching this
target group by courteously exposing the benefits of internet through awareness
campaigns. Publics are encouraged to bring along their family members to explore
more about the impacts of family divide towards the family’s interaction.
Information should be kept as simple as possible to prevent them from pulling
out from the sharing of information due to message complexity.
Counselling Courses
Besides, the ministry can provide counselling services to
parents who are apprehended towards the use of technology in the family.
Strategies such as effective communication approaches can be highlighted to the
parents so that they can communicate in a way that children are more willing to
listen to. For instance, parents can learn how to communicate support to their
children regarding the issue of internet usage but at the same time retaining
their stand that excessive usage is unadvisable. Lansbury (2011) asserts that acknowledging, instead of judging or
“fixing”, fosters trust and encourages children to keep sharing their feelings.
With this particular methodology, the children will be less defensive in
listening and therefore provide more space for them to communicate their
anxiety and misunderstandings. The risks of conflicts will then be reduced as
both sides are mentally prepared to sort out a win-win solution in this matter.
Conclusion
All in all, the issue of family divide deserves a more
sophisticated approach as it includes elements of internal perception in
response to the digital divide. From the group of ‘avoiders’ who tend to
mentally resist the dominance of internet to the difference of perception
within parents and children, all they need is just a sense of understanding on
how they feel. To conclude, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development
should comprehend this issue from a mentally perspective in order to solve this
problem efficiently.
References
International Telecommunications Union. (2013). Measuring the information society. Retrieved
on Oct 2nd,2014, from http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/publications/mis2013/MIS2013_without_Annex_4.pdf
Lansbury. J. (2011). The
key to your child’s heart (7 ways it works) . Retrieved on Oct 2nd, 2014, from http://www.janetlansbury.com/2011/11/the-key-to-your-childs-heart-7-ways-it-works/
Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. (n.d.).
Strategies. Retrieved on Oct 2nd, 2014, from http://www.kpwkm.gov.my/strategi
Patrick
C-H Soh, Yap Liang Yan, Tze San Ong & Boon Heng Teh. (2012). Digital Divide amongst Urban Youths in
Malaysia – Myth or Reality?.Asian Social Science – Online Publication. Retrieved on Oct 2nd,
2014, from http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ass/article/view/22648
Taylor. J. (2013). Is
Technology Creating a Family Divide?. Retrieved on Oct 2nd, 2014, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-prime/201303/is-technology-creating-family-divide
Waugh. R. (2012). Daddy no longer knows best? Most children
would prefer to ask Google if they have a question - not their parents. Retrieved on Oct
2nd, 2014, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2112223/Most-children-prefer-ask-GOOGLE-question-parents.html#ixzz3Exb8KZk8
Zur, O. & Zur, A.
(2011). On
Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives: How the Digital Divide Affects
Families, Educational Institutions, and the Workplace. Zur Institute - Online Publication. Retrieved
on Oct 2nd, 2014, from http://www.zurinstitute.com/digital_divide.html.
1. Prompt should be explained further
ReplyDelete2. Main topic focus is clear from the start
3. Background information given is detailed, but not contextualised as there is not much references from Malaysia except for the introduction
6. It would be better if your thesis statement specifies the context (country)
7. Solutions are very clear (Awareness campaign and counselling courses)
8. Did not specifically link back on how awareness campaigns will help to solve or reduce the family divide. Does it mean that by exposing the benefits of internet to parents, there will be less conflicts within families? How so?
9. You made it clear who can and should initiate solutions to the family divide (The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development).
10. Potential benefits of solutions are clearly presented but not linked for the Awareness Campaign solution.
11. Use of expert opinions to support solutions
12. Yes
13. Overall flow is relatively smooth
14. Cited sources are relevant and effective as it substantiates your ideas
15. Full stop should be after the bracket of each in-text citations
16. For the title, only the first word, the name of the country and a person’s name will only be capitalised.
17. It would be better if you standardised the capitalisation of ‘internet’
By Janelle, Yechan and Adila
Thank you Adila, Yechan and Janelle, the peer review done by you guys really helped a lot. Through the detailed comments listed above, I am able to identify the particular problems that need amendments.
DeleteThanks again for all the effort. All the best and good luck :)