Digital Divide: A Technological Generation Gap

Abstract

Generation Z and Millenials grew up in our digitalized world. Due to their increased digital expertise, compared to the rest of the population, they use digital technology as an integral part of their lives. Technology has an obsoleting impact on those without the proper skills; thus, older generations have to face the need to keep up with technological advancements. Digital communication changes the way we handle our emotions in an online environment. Emotions have been tied to social media usage, especially for adolescents. Due to the individual and age-related differences in emotional regulation, emotional intelligence (EQ) and self-control are crucial elements of the successful and controlled online presence of each generation. This quantitative research aims to analyze the possible differences between the generations regarding their habitual and problematic smartphone usage and compare the impact of EQ and self-regulation on each generation's behavior in the digital world.