Connecting Souls, Bridging Dreams

Interview

What do you understand by the term Digital Native? Do you consider yourself one? Do you think you need to belong to a particular socio-economic-geographical background to be considered a Digital Native?
For me, Digital Native means being equipped most of the time with gadgets that we have nowadays. The idea pertains to the usage of these gadgets to alleviate day to day activities or for mere pleasure. I can say that I am a Digital Native because from the moment I wake up, go to work, eat or rest I usually have a gadget in my hand. Being a Digital native doesn’t entail belonging to upper class of the society. In Philippines, most citizens own a cell phone or television. Government and private institutions bring mobile libraries or computers to depressed areas so they can be empowered by technology. One of the primary requirements of being a digital native is not your political, regional, societal or even physical status but instead it requires a level of openness or acceptance to the new technology that’s in your hands. I think the issue is how you plan to utilize this gadget to help yourself in your daily life, and how responsible you are in carrying out their functions for the promotion of the common good which may not be detrimental to others. If you’re an open and responsible user of technology then I think you are worthy to be called a Digital Native.

How effective are digital activism campaigns in raising awareness about an issue?
The online platform is an instrument for freedom of expression. Just like any protests on the street, technology provides a bigger arena to anyone to fight for their rights. But I would also add that though it is good to state what you believe in and what you’re supporting online, we should also be more responsible as users of technology. As long as we still respect others and there are no derogatory statements that may harm others, social media platforms have been useful in many ways.

A recent example of online activism is the ‘Get Kony 2012’ video campaign created by US-based NGO Invisible Children. What are your thoughts on the campaign?
It’s heart-breaking but at the same time empowering. The video compares life in a developed country with that of a developing one and exposes what is happening in Uganda. It effectively motivates us to do something good, now.

Are we seeing a trend where digital natives are more involved with local causes than with global, larger issues that don’t immediately impact their lives?
I think the use of technology empowers everyone from high officials to ordinary individuals to push their cause, stand for their rights and make this world a better place. Any local cause from a community which is posted online is no longer just a local cause but can transform into an issue that has global resonance. Somewhere in the world, other places might be experiencing the very issue that a small community is trying to highlight, so social media platforms help project a local cause into a global one. It makes our world closer so that everyone can lend a helping hand no matter how many miles we are all apart.