| Echo Boomers are the first generation to have always | | | | - 1982) are referred to as being digital residents as |
| enjoyed the luxury of digital technology. This has | | | | digital technologies flooded their existence during their |
| afforded them many benefits however, there have | | | | developmental and teenage years. They welcome the |
| also been a number of costs. | | | | products they saw introduced becoming fundamental. |
| The event of persons being born within certain | | | | And those of Generation Y have enjoyed the luxury |
| geographical bounds during a period of accelerated | | | | of digital technology their whole lives. They had |
| birthrate (where the rate exceeds 2%) is referred to | | | | educational computer software [ in grammar school. |
| as a baby boom. America experienced a very | | | | They came home from grammar school to their video |
| dramatic baby boom immediately following World War | | | | games! |
| II (1940s - 1960s). America experienced another baby | | | | Computers, cell phones, ipods, instant messaging, |
| boom logically when the baby boomers had their | | | | facebook, my space are all an integral part of their |
| children (1970s - 1990s).These generations are referred | | | | lives. They have always had fast results and have |
| to the Baby Boomers and the Echo Boomers or | | | | enjoyed the instant gratification of technology. Although |
| Generation Y, respectively. | | | | technology has made many things easier it has also |
| The Echo Boomers are the first generation to have | | | | had negative net effects on this generation. |
| always had computers and the internet. Their first | | | | We have seen an increased focus on individual |
| social activity was Instant Messaging. If they need | | | | success enabled by technological advancements. This |
| information they simple get it online. They spend a | | | | focus is also beginning at an earlier age than |
| majority of their time in this environment where their | | | | witnessed in other generations. There is also evidence |
| information comes from their friends and trusted | | | | of increased educational competition in all grades. |
| internet sources. This generation is said to be curious, | | | | Therefore, it stands to reason that their childhoods |
| focused, intelligent, self reliant and confident. They are | | | | have been shortened not only by the change in focus |
| most importantly noted for being able to adapt to | | | | but by the constant flood of information that they are |
| change. They are also noted for their expectation of | | | | exposed to. A loss of identity due to technological |
| immediate gratification. | | | | streamlining could very well be the cause of the |
| Digital Technology is a major difference that separates | | | | increased educational competition and focus on |
| these generations. The Baby Boomers were digital | | | | individual success. It is very sad to think that something |
| immigrants who reached adulthood without digital | | | | so precious as childhood innocence was the price to |
| technology. Some were reluctant but most welcomed | | | | pay for these amazing and beneficial advancements. |
| new technology. Those of Generation X (around 1965 | | | | |