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Millennials with advanced digital skills are expressing heightened concerns about privacy violations, misinformation spread, and poor work-life balance in today’s digital landscape, according to new research from UCL and the University of British Columbia.
The study, published in the journal Information, Communication & Society, reveals a surprising trend: those most proficient with technology are also the most worried about its negative impacts, challenging the assumption that digital familiarity reduces anxiety.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 50,000 respondents across 30 European countries collected through the European Social Survey between 2020 and 2022. Participants were questioned about their perceptions of privacy infringement, misinformation propagation, and work-life interruptions caused by digital technology.
The researchers created a digital concern scale ranging from 0 to 1, with higher scores indicating greater worry. They also assessed participants’ digital literacy based on their internet usage frequency and familiarity with various digital tools.
Results show millennials (aged 25-44 in 2022) reported greater concerns than both younger adults (15-24) and seniors (75+). Education level was also a significant factor, with university graduates and those with middle/high school education expressing more worry than those with primary or no formal education.
“Our findings call into question the assumption that greater exposure to the digital world reduces our concern about its potential harm,” said lead author Dr. Yang Hu of UCL Social Research Institute. “Rather than becoming desensitized, greater use of digital technology seems to heighten our concerns about it, particularly among people who have a high level of digital literacy.”
Geographically, the Netherlands registered the highest level of digital concern with a score of 0.74, closely followed by the UK at 0.73. Bulgaria stood out as the only country not exceeding the midpoint on the concern scale, scoring 0.47.
Interestingly, the study found no significant differences in digital concerns between genders, income groups, or urban versus rural residents. However, migrants reported lower levels of concern than native-born citizens, and employed individuals showed less worry than those without jobs.
The researchers noted that high digital literacy correlated with increased concern only among frequent technology users—those who engage with digital tools daily or almost daily. This suggests that regular exposure to digital environments, combined with the knowledge to understand potential risks, may intensify rather than diminish anxieties.
“Our results reveal dual paradoxes: those who are supposedly most vulnerable to digital harms – young people, older adults, and those with a low level of digital literacy – appear least concerned about the harms, while those with advanced digital skills report the most concern,” explained co-author Dr. Yue Qian from the University of British Columbia.
The findings suggest that individuals may perceive digital harms as beyond their control—the more they understand and use technology, the more powerless they may feel about addressing its negative consequences.
The researchers emphasized that digital anxiety has become a defining characteristic of modern society, potentially impacting mental health, quality of life, and societal well-being. As businesses, governments, and communities increasingly embrace new technologies, digital literacy has become essential for most people.
“The rapid development of AI is undoubtedly accelerating this process, so digital concern is not an issue that can be ignored,” Dr. Hu warned.
The study recommends that alongside efforts to improve practical digital skills, authorities should address mounting concerns about how rapid digitalization affects individual and societal well-being. As technology becomes increasingly embedded in daily life, understanding and addressing these anxieties will be crucial for fostering healthier relationships with digital tools.
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6 Comments
The digital privacy concerns of tech-savvy millennials are a wake-up call. Clearly, familiarity with technology does not equate to blind trust. Developers would do well to proactively address these issues to build greater user confidence.
It’s intriguing that the most digitally-inclined individuals harbor the highest levels of concern. This suggests a nuanced relationship with technology – an understanding of its benefits and risks. Finding the right balance is the challenge.
The study highlights an important paradox – those most adept at technology are also the most aware of its downsides. Perhaps greater digital literacy enables clearer recognition of the threats, rather than a false sense of comfort.
This research provides important insights into the complex perspectives of digital natives. As technology becomes ever more pervasive, addressing user concerns around privacy, misinformation, and work-life balance will be critical.
Interesting findings. As digital natives, millennials likely have a deeper understanding of the privacy and misinformation risks posed by technology. Their heightened concerns reflect the complex trade-offs between digital convenience and digital security.
This research underscores the need for improved data protection and more ethical tech practices. As digital reliance grows, addressing user privacy and wellbeing must be a top priority for companies and policymakers.