Research

Report: Most Millennials Learn More from Technology than from People

• By Rhea Kelly
• 08/02/17

The majority of millennials ages 18-34 (69 percent) say they learn more information from technology than from people, according to a new report from nonprofit leadership training organization Growing Leaders. In comparison, just 50 percent of surveyed adults ages 45 and up said the same. The online survey of 2,264 American adults ages 18 and older, conducted by Harris Poll, focused on technology's role in learning as well as different generations' preparation for adult life.

The survey also identified a gender divide when it comes to technology and learning. Thirty-three percent of millennial males "strongly agreed" that they learn more from technology than from people, while 19 percent of millennial females said the same.

Other findings include:

• Overall, 70 percent of adults say children growing up today will not be prepared for adult life;
• 75 percent of adults feel they were taught well in preparation for adult life after grade school, while 67 percent of millennials said the same;
• 42 percent of adults regularly feel overwhelmed with their daily life, while 59 percent of millennials said the same; and
• In every age category, more females than males said they regularly feel overwhelmed with their daily life. Females ages 18-34 were the most affected, with 62 percent strongly or somewhat agreeing that they feel overwhelmed.

"Today almost one-half of the world's population is 21 years old or younger, and poised to lead our world into the future," said Tim Elmore, president and founder of Growing Leaders, in a statement. "What this survey tells us is we, as a society, have progressed into a new reality. Most of us don't believe kids will be ready for adulthood when it arrives. We as a collective force of parents, teachers, coaches and mentors must do a better job in helping prepare this future generation to be effective leaders, but also how to develop the critical skills that empower them to enter adulthood with the resilience, resolve and purpose needed to succeed."

For more information, visit the Growing Leaders site.