Technology plays such a big role in our lives, but people of different generations experience it in totally unique ways.
At In Tandem, we wanted to explore these differences and hear directly from people of all ages about how tech impacts their learning, work, and everyday lives. So, we asked!
We kept things simple with open-ended questions about how tech plays a role in education, work, and life in general. Twenty-six teens from our Youth Partner cohort and five adults who work in youth-centered non-profits answered three questions:
The responses from this online discussion highlight the potential for generations to learn from each other and spark new ideas about how to use technology in meaningful ways.
“The greatest issue I see on the internet in schools is lack of freedom.”
– Austin, grade 9
“A lack of genuine intergenerational conversations about tech use leads to adults forming opinions that don’t align with the reality of what young people face.”
– Samira Pingali, Hopelab
Youth responses frequently mentioned frustrations over restricted access to online resources, which they felt stifled creativity, research, and learning. While students use an average of 45 distinct edtech tools throughout the school year, many respondents voiced frustration about blocked websites or limited access to tech tools.
“The greatest issue I see on the internet in schools is lack of freedom… This restriction of use enforces a lack of creativity,” observed Austin, grade 9.
In contrast, the adults were less concerned with resource restrictions and more focused on effective and ethical tech use in learning environments.
“From my perspective, the biggest issue when it comes to internet and tech in schools is the often misplaced blame on young people for how they use these platforms and services,” said Samira Pingali, Principal, Translational Science at Hopelab. “I think a lack of genuine intergenerational conversations about tech use leads to adults forming opinions that don’t align with the reality of what young people face in their everyday lives.”
Reflection point: While youth may prioritize more open access to digital resources, adults may value carefully managing tech access to balance freedom and responsibility.
“Not all news sources online are credible, but if the user does not know how to identify credible sources, it is easy for them to fall into the trap of misinformation.”
– Keira, grade 11
“Providing all consumers of tech the education regarding healthy ways to use technology [allows] for more informed personal decision-making.”
– Nathaan Demers, Hopelab
Misinformation remains a critical concern across all generations, though each group views the solution slightly differently. According to a joint report from Hopelab, Common Sense Media, and the Center for Digital Thriving at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, young people are concerned about the negative impacts of generative AI related to misinformation and disinformation.
Youth Partners expressed concern over their peers’ access to unverified information, particularly on social media. Keira (grade 11) commented, “Not all news sources online are credible, but if the user does not know how to identify credible sources, it is easy for them to fall into the trap of misinformation.”
Adults, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of digital literacy and critical thinking skills as essential tools to navigate the online landscape responsibly. “A great place to start… could be providing all consumers of tech the education regarding healthy ways to use technology, allowing for more informed personal decision-making,” responded Nathaan Demers, Principal Investor/Clinical Psychologist at Hopelab.
Reflection point: Youth, as digital natives, bring firsthand experience with online content, while adults offer wisdom from years of navigating information landscapes. Together, they could co-create and advocate for digital literacy programs that meet the needs of all generations.
“Technology keeps students always connected, making it hard to switch off and relax.”
– Sheioko, grade 12
“I know young people feel those stressors, and I know my colleagues feel those pressures, but so do my elders.”
– Lionel Ramazzini, Hopelab
Both youth and adults acknowledged the challenges of constant connectivity. According to the Pew Research Center, “72% of U.S. teens say they often or sometimes feel peaceful when they don’t have their smartphone; 44% say it makes them feel anxious.”
Youth Partners mentioned how easy it is to become distracted or stressed due to the persistent presence of technology, while adults highlighted the blurred boundaries that often affect work-life balance.
“Technology keeps students always connected, making it hard for them to switch off and relax,” said Sheioko (grade 12). “They feel pressured to keep up with schoolwork all the time, which causes stress. This can also lead to less real interaction with friends and more anxiety.”
Amy Green, Head of Research at Hopelab, confirmed this is a common feeling for youth: “When online interactions are prioritized over in-person interactions, young people may miss out on essential social development opportunities and the deeper connections that come from personal interactions.”
Youth, however, aren’t the only ones struggling to find balance with technology. “I used to wake up to emails, but now I go to sleep with Slack messages. I know young people feel those stressors, and I know my colleagues feel those pressures, but so do my elders,” observed Lionel Ramazzini, Creative Lead at Hopelab.
Reflection point: Younger generations may benefit from the discipline and work-life boundaries adults have cultivated, while adults might learn from youth about prioritizing mental well-being through intentional tech use.
“Continued advancements in fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology hold the promise of addressing some of humanity's most pressing challenges, such as climate change, disease, and resource scarcity.”
– Rujula, grade 12
“I hope [tech] will help us be more empathetic, more equitable, and more engaged as a society.” – Dr. Emily Weinstein, Center for Digital Thriving
Despite differing concerns, both youth and adults expressed an optimistic view of technology’s potential to improve lives and address pressing global challenges.
Youth Partners are particularly excited about AI advancements, envisioning a future where automation complements human effort rather than replacing it. Adults expressed hope that the future of tech will be shaped by today’s young people, emphasizing the importance of ethical innovation.
“I’m excited that technology will be able to automate tasks... it’ll give humans more time to be creative,” shared Arishka (grade 11). Rujula (grade 12) sees the promise for tomorrow: “Continued advancements in fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology hold the promise of addressing some of humanity's most pressing challenges, such as climate change, disease, and resource scarcity.”
Adult respondents feel the same hope for the future. Dr. Emily Weinstein, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Digital Thriving, shared, “What I hope is that tech will help us live in ways that are more values-aligned rather than less, and that it will help us be more empathetic, more equitable, and more engaged as a society. I hope we've leveraged tech in ways that reverse concerning trends.”
Reflection point: Both generations are hopeful about technology’s potential, with young people excited about AI’s possibilities and adults supportive of ethical, collaborative tech development.
This conversation is just the start. Younger and older generations may have different takes on technology—teens often push for more open access, while adults focus on digital literacy—but there’s so much to learn from each other. Both groups share a belief in technology’s potential to drive meaningful change and make life better for everyone.
What if this sparked more conversations? What if we used these perspectives to explore new ways of thinking about tech across generations?
At In Tandem, we believe the best ideas come from listening to everyone. Let’s keep the dialogue going and discover what’s possible when generations work together. Learn more about our mission to elevate youth voices.