Born Digital: How Children Grow Up in a Digital Age

Description

The first generation of children who were born into and raised in the digital world are coming of age and reshaping the world in their image. Our economy, our politics, our culture, and even the shape of our family life are being transformed. But who are these wired young people? And what is the world they're creating going to look like? In this revised and updated edition, leading Internet and technology experts John Palfrey and Urs Gasser offer a cutting-edge sociological portrait of these young people, who can seem, even to those merely a generation older, both extraordinarily sophisticated and strangely narrow. Exploring a broad range of issues,privacy concerns, the psychological effects of information overload, and larger ethical issues raised by the fact that young people's social interactions, friendships, and civic activities are now mediated by digital technologies, Born Digital is essential reading for parents, teachers, and the myriad of confused adults who want to understand the digital present and shape the digital future.

John Palfrey is Head of School at Phillips Andover Academy. He is a faculty director of the Berkman centre for Internet & Society. He has published extensively on the Internet's relationship to Intellectual Property, international governance, and democracy. He chairs the Internet Safety Technical Task Force, made up of leading Internet service companies and nonprofit groups focused on children's safety. He is a regular commentator on network news programs, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News, NPR and BBC.Urs Gasser is the Executive Director of the Berkman centre for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School. He has written and edited several books and has published over 100 articles in books, law reviews, and professional journals. He's also an advisor to international technology companies on information law matters.

Washington Post "The authors are knowledgeable but never pedantic, their studious, emphatic approach is both valid and reassuring, and their overarching point--let's think about these things now, rather than trying to fix them later--well taken." New Scientist "A well-reasoned, thorough synthesis of some momentous, if familiar, ideas." Project Information Literacy "A landmark sociological study of today's early adults" California Book Watch "Philosophy blends with social issues and insights in an invaluable pick for a brave new world, perfect for any discussions or collections strong in social issues, philosophy or science." Washington Monthly "After a slew of interviews with what they call Digital Natives and a thorough survey of the digital world, Palfrey and Gasser have written a book about this social transformation that is both insightful and responsible." Science "Born Digital offers a compelling account for parents, teachers, policy-makers, lawyers, and technical developers who want to know more about digital natives' online activities and how these are changing society. Palfrey and Gasser present a balanced view, highlighting problems and calling for solutions. Born Digital is timely and informative."