Digital Natives: behavioural and neural insights

The widespread diffusion of digital technologies has given rise to two distinct cohorts: digital natives, born in the digital age, and digital immigrants, who adopted these technologies in adulthood (Prensky, 2001). Although they represent almost the entire global population, comparative research between these groups remains limited, focusing mainly on the negative aspects of technology use among young people. This thesis investigates the behavioural and neural characteristics of digital natives in the digital context through kinematic studies investigating digital intentions and neural studies concerning the use of touchscreen technologies. This dissertation integrates behavioural perspectives through 3D kinematic analysis of movements during smartphone use and neural perspectives using electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies. The study of these findings has significant implications for several contexts: it may shed light on potential neuroplastic changes resulting from early and constant exposure to digital technologies, provide insight into the meaning of digital competence so as to inform interventions to counteract digital exclusion and even support digital immigrants in adapting to digital environments. Furthermore, by examining digital natives through an exploratory or comparative lens, rather than a pathological one, research contributes to a more balanced understanding of how digital technologies shape human cognition and behaviour.