Why young people must embrace technology [Article]

Technology ideally should serve as the pivot for inclusive development worldwide. However the insurgence and the pace at which the millennial age is growing, I fear though it should be a benefactor for all, it could become a right of none.

Researchers have spent years discovering the many possible issues surrounding technology use and the future. One of the commonest is Barbara Fredrickson’s findings which warns smartphone use may be taking a toll on our biological capacity to connect with other people.

Technology has enormous positives of connecting the world by eliminating physical and mental barriers, facilitating intra and inter-globe businesses, cultural exchanges, mobilizing resources for global impacts among others, but if there are no conscious efforts to bringing along everyone especially the youth, these potentials may be harnessed for the negatives.

These researchers warm of a possible huge gap in those who will be able to use ICT tool efficiently, those who have access as well as those who may have access but cannot use them efficiently.

The youth are said to be basis and basics of the world and its growth. In Ghana for instance, the youth account for over half of the population (57% according to indexmundi). This means more attention should be given to these corner-stones should Ghana be better equipped and positioned for the future.

There have been plans to empower these next crop of leaders. In Agric, there are efforts, in health as well and all other sectors of the economy. Technological industry may have seen some efforts focusing on girls, innovation among the youth. But there are many more youth cut out in this civilization process. Especially the rural folks who despite their circumstance, are expected to catch up with development, compete with their friend millennials in the cities and the world and more importantly, participate in that process.

Even in the cities, the few masterclasses or sandwich courses on the future benefits and demerits of the social web are aimed at the elites. The youth often than not cannot afford these expensive causes. They result to experimenting with peers which many a time leads to social vices like cybercrimes etc

For me as a youth, the fear of being cut out of the technological revolution makes me eager to seek relevant skills, knowledge and guidelines on how the future would look like with my smartphone, my laptop, the internet and the multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, linkedin, twitter, and the rest.

I am therefore excited about initiatives like the Youth Global Forum coming up in December which seeks to better position the youth, groups, and societies for the future of tech in an ever-growing world. May be its time to invest not only in my leadership prowess but also in tech, as the latter has proven equally influential in the New Age.

Columnist: Kabu Nartey