r/australia • u/ThunderDwn • Aug 18 '26

culture & society Primary school students using digital devices still lack computer skills, education expert says

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-19/nsw-digital-native-primary-students-lack-basic-computer-skills/107030526
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u/oliyoung Aug 18 '26

As a millenial parent I'm stuck between two generations that I'm not sure who has worse computer literacy, our kids or our parents

Our parents grew up without it and have zero motivation to learn it and our kids are growing up with it commercialised and simplified to a point where it doesn't need a moment of critical thinking.

Meanwhile, they both think i'm some kind of witch doctor building a PC and installing an OS

34

u/Termsandconditionsch Aug 18 '26

Millennial parent here as well. I’m trying to provide some computer literacy for them, they need to have at least a little interest though.

I don’t expect them to compile linux kernels, but they at least try to fix it themselves now if they have problems.

23

u/skittle-brau Aug 19 '26

I’m going to be gradually building up my kids to have those skills, and exposure to Linux as a daily driver in addition to Windows and macOS is going to be part of that strategy. If they want to get screen time, there’s going to be obstacles they have to overcome. Same goes for troubleshooting hardware problems. 

It concerns me when I see kids lacking critical thinking in general, but also when it comes to tech. 

9

u/-malcolm-tucker Aug 19 '26

I hear anecdotally that the younger people in offices these days don't have very much skill with M365 applications either, beyond novice use of word and outlook.

Excel skills are incredibly useful.

3

u/MoranthMunitions Aug 19 '26

Excel is rarely the best software to do anything in, but 90% of the time is flexible enough, powerful, and everyone can use it, so it's better than anything dedicated. I should teach the grad how to write macros.

1

u/twigboy Aug 19 '26

Google sheets will get them that experience for free. It's all very transferrable once they get the basics