Connected but Not Integrated: The Impact of Digital Media on Youth Cultural Practices in Ecuador’s Zone 5
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20251708Keywords:
Digital media, Ecuadorian youth, cultural practices, technological skills, Zone 5Abstract
This study examined the influence of digital media on the cultural practices of young people aged 20 to 24 in Zone 5 of Ecuador, which comprises the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, Santa Elena, and Galápagos. The research focused on the use of digital platforms, the development of technological skills, and the behaviors resulting from access to such technologies. A quantitative methodology with an exploratory and non-experimental design was employed, using structured surveys administered to a randomly selected sample of 384 participants. The results showed that most respondents access the Internet daily, primarily through mobile devices, with intensive use of social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. A total of 93% of participants reported having home Internet access, mainly through broadband and fiber-optic services. Furthermore, the findings revealed that youth possess technological competencies related to information retrieval, educational platform use, social interaction, and entertainment. Cultural practices among young people have been significantly transformed by constant digital exposure, encouraging new forms of socialization, expression, and symbolic interaction. The study concludes that digital technologies serve not only as communication tools but also as catalysts of emerging cultural dynamics. These findings highlight the need for continued research on how digital technologies shape the cultural experiences of new generations in specific regional contexts.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Guillermo Del Campo S., Msc.Paola Velasco D., Msc. Luis Rosero C., Msc. Newton Gallardo (Author)
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