Nurture youth to have digital technological knowledge

ALTHOUGH digital technology is advancing across multiple sectors of society, more than 2.6 billion people worldwide – most of them women and children – still lack access to digital technology. Therefore, promoting gender equality in digital access is essential to opening new pathways for economic growth, fostering innovation, and supporting sustainable development.

In the late 20th century, internet technology experienced rapid development, becoming a major driver of the swift global spread of communication and information technologies. Subsequently, innovations in mobile phones during the 1970s and 1980s, along with the development of social media in the early 21st century, opened a new chapter in communication and information technology. The advancement of these technologies has benefited social and eco­nomic sectors more broadly.

In fact, digital technology is inseparable from daily hu­man life and benefits various sectors of society. Therefore, improved access to digital technology is crucial for every­one. Accordingly, not only gov­ernments in many countries but also scientists and inno­vators are considering ways to manage activities aimed at creating better access to digital technology for people in different communities.

According to the 2024 global report released by Da­taReportal, more than 5.35 billion people worldwide use the internet, accounting for 92 per cent of the global pop­ulation. Of these, more than 5.04 billion people use social media, representing 62.3 per cent of the world’s population. On average, users spend two hours and 23 minutes per day on social media. The report shows that the internet can be effectively applied in trade, job creation, and the enhance­ment of manufacturing. Owing to the growth of online shopping, many countries have been able to secure economic growth.

Currently, countries around the world, including Myanmar, place strong emphasis on digital education. Many countries are nurturing their citizens to develop strong capacities in cooperation, communication, critical analysis and problem-solving, creativity and innovation, as well as the strengthening of national spirit, as key 21st-century skills and personal competencies. As such, it is essential to create greater access to digital technology for youth, women, and children.

As a result, countries that efficiently apply communication technology can achieve rapid development within a short period. As the global community moves toward the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), countries that fail to keep pace with others in communication and digital technologies will fall behind in development. Hence, not only governments but also youth need to enhance their digital technology knowledge and capacities to build a better society.