Why Digital Writing?

My understanding of why digital writing matters is a threefold of benefits to our society. One because of the fast and ever-changing technological world we live in where the average person is reading and typing more words than ever before through various platforms such as email, blogging, social media, text messaging, school assignments, and much more. The second reason being that our further development in strengthening core literacy and writing skills are important in being able to communicate effectively, not just through writing, or face-to-face contact, but also through multimedia digital platforms. Thirdly, our digital world will continue to thrive, grow, and advance in various new and innovative ways to which we as a society must be able to “write with the times.” 

The question remains, what really is digital writing? Ultimately, I do not believe that digital writing has one solid definition but rather different angles of understanding which apply to the context of different digital platforms. From my own understanding, and the information given in these readings: “Introduction: Why Digital Writing Matters” by the National Writing Project, “Why Teach Digital Writing” by the WIDE Research Center Collective, and Forbes’s “Top Six Digital Transformation Trends in Media and Entertainment” by Daniel Newman, digital writing is more than the integration of digitized platforms and technology into literature and writing process but rather a renovation and expansion of the multi-faceted craft of writing. Writings created with technology are able to be shared on multiple digital platforms, from computer screen, social media tablets, and phone screens. A quote from “Introduction: Why Digital Writing Matters,” by the National Writing Project states “Today’s network connectivity allows writers to draw from myriad sources, use a range of media, craft various types of compositions representing a range of tools and genres, and distribute that work almost instantaneously and sometimes globally.” 

As a 21-year-old living in this world’s digital age, who additionally, is an avid writer and creator of podcasts, I for one agree that being able to effectively write and create digital content will allow me to truly connect with my audiences wherever they may be. Digital platforms such as radio, podcasts, social media, the internet, and blogging, allow me to connect to whomever has a digital device regardless of their age, gender, background, or ethnicity. 

 Consequently, while I believe digital writing is an important area that students and professionals should be skilled in, I also believe that it is important for our society to not become so enamored with digitization that they become out of touch with reality. In these readings, I am made more aware that digital writing is vastly-growing; however, with these new innovations also comes new issues. In a Psychology Today article written by Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, “How Technology Makes Us Anxious,” an increased utilization of technology such as social media platforms can feed panic, social anxiety, and depression. Additionally, an increase in childhood obesity and lethargy (which in turn leaves parents further disgruntled about technology) can also be linked to virtual reality, video games, and digital platforms as some of the causes. 

Nonetheless, these readings as the general expansion on what digital writing actually is, has allowed me to reflect on the wonderful blessings and simultaneous curses that digitization brings. Writing is a powerful and effective tool of communication in all its forms and digital writing makes our world that much more smaller and connected.