Refers to a person who grew up during the widespread adoption of digital technologies such as the internet, smartphones, computers, and social media, and who is often assumed to be naturally comfortable using these technologies. The term was popularized by Marc Prensky (2001), who argued that individuals born into the digital age think, learn, and process information differently from previous generations because digital technology has been a constant part of their lives.
Research has challenged this assumption, finding that age alone does not determine digital competence. Digital natives vary widely in their technological skills, information literacy, critical thinking, cybersecurity awareness, and ability to use technology effectively for learning and work. Today, the term is best understood as describing a generation's exposure to digital technologies rather than implying a uniform level of digital expertise.
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