Born Digital: What impact does tech & social media have on Gen Z – and how can we protect society from it? reviewed

A very topical book, looking at how technology is impacting on all of us, and the differing impacts, depending on whether we are Gen X, Y, Z or millennials. Born Digital: The Story of a Distracted Generation by Bob Wigley, see more about the book on his website here.

Born Digital: What impact does tech & social media have on Gen Z – and how can we protect society from it? reviewed

Firstly we enjoyed this thought provoking book. It definitely tried to crack the differences between how technology has impacted on us all differently, depending on our ages and perspectives. The author aimed to get insights by talking to as many people as possible who were thirty plus years younger. This helped to a large degree, though, as Wigley acknowledges too, this was also slightly unscientific as it was limited to those who he was able to speak to, who were over represented by young white males.

At the same time there are some very good chapters in this book which aim to tackle Gen Z and Gen Y views on sex, sexuality, and the potentially negative impact of dating apps and hookup culture. The author is aware of his biases to some degree and examines the issues in thought provoking and insightful ways.

As the recent revelations from the Uber leaks have demonstrated, technology companies are not benign and do not have our best interests at heart. At the same time we have rushed deeply into using their products, with no handrails and effective guidance about what might be best for our mental health.

This book does not have all of the answers but it makes a healthy stab at aiming to name and identify what the issues are, and to try and work out a better path forwards for us all. His conversations with his own teenager to early twenties children are also well captured and demonstrate that the issues and solutions are more nuanced than mere soundbites. As one of his sons cautions him too, if there are going to be family rules around social media usage, then ALL of the family need to adhere to them. An enjoyable and thought provoking read. Well worth reading.

More about the book

69% of young Brits say their generation will be less happy and have worse mental health than previous generations – Born Digital unpicks the impact tech has on Gen Z brains
Tech makes us less focussed and empathetic and more lonely, depressed and stressed – to avoid a global crisis we need to radically reset society’s relationship with technology
UK’s world-leading Online Safety Bill is currently going through Parliament – Wigley argues we need globally coordinated governance of the internet and better tech regulation
Written by Professor Bob Wigley – Chairman of UK Finance, he helped steer the Bank of England through the global financial crisis, sits on the UK’s Economic Crime Strategic Board (co-chaired by the Home Secretary & Chancellor) and is former Chairman of EMEA Merrill Lynch

Gen Z now spend more time on screens than sleeping – clocking up an average of 7 hours online a day.* So what impact is this having on young people’s brains – and what does it mean for the future of society, education, business, politics and our health?

Robert Wigley witnessed the world sleepwalk into the dot.com crash, global financial crisis and the climate crisis and worked closely with governments and institutions to help tackle the fall-out. Based on decades of institutional experience, his first book, Born Digital, offers governments, industry, educators and parents a roadmap to reset society’s relationship with tech.

The book distils the latest research from scientists around the world on the impact tech is having on our brains and the risks it poses to society – from fake news to a lack of empathy, increased suicide rates to threats to democracy.

To wrestle back control of our attention, Wigley argues we need globally coordinated governance of the internet and better regulation. Anti-trust laws have failed to prevent big techs from gaining powerful and in some cases dominant market shares. While regulation is failing to protect our privacy, mental health, children and democracy.

Born Digital is a fascinating insight into the challenges the world faces over the next decade and how governments, Big Tech, business, educators and parents can tackle the dangers of tech, and shape it as a force for social good.

Praise:

‘An important read for parents, caregivers, educators, policymakers and industry.’ Professor Mary Aiken, author, The Cyber Effect

‘Provocative and interesting’ Neil Berkett, Chair, NSPCC

‘Wigley’s well-researched and timely book highlights the challenges and opportunities for business and government.’ Roger Parry, Chairman, YouGov PLC

‘Born Digital is a powerful and timely wake-up call for us all.’ David Grayson CBE, Chair of the Institute of Business Ethics

More about the author

Robert Wigley backs young entrepreneurs in cutting edge technology businesses and Chairs UK Finance. He spent a career in finance rising to be EMEA Chairman of Merrill Lynch and a member of the board of the Bank of England during the 2008 financial crisis. He has been Chairman of the Green Investment Bank Commission and wrote the seminal report Winning in the Decade Ahead on the future of London as a Global Financial Centre, for Boris Johnson when he was Mayor of London.

He is Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Companion of the Chartered Management Institute. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland, a Visiting Fellow of Oxford University’s Said Business School and an Honorary Fellow of Cambridge University’s Judge Business School. He sits on the UK’s Economic Crime Strategic Board which is Co-Chaired by the Chancellor and the Home Secretary. He is an Officer of the Order of St John. This is his first book.

Born Digital: The Story of a Distracted Generation by Bob Wigley is out in paperback on 14th July, priced at £9.99 and available from Amazon.co.uk and all good bookshops

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