Life in the Digital Age

Socializing

One of the biggest changes brought about by the digital age is how people socialize with one another. You can be physically alone yet be surrounded by many people online. Before the digital age, gamers were isolated people who played with themselves or a couple of friends. Now, gamers all over the world can connect with one another and play a game together.  The digital age is creating an unsocial social environment.  More people then ever are connected but they are doing it from their computers. They are not actively interacting with people rather then are creating online personalities, which sometimes can differ from their real personality. 
Relationships have changed. There are many online match making services at people's fingertips which allows them to meet and search through a large database of potential suitors. This can only be done because of the availability of technology. The digital age has bought together people, even across physical boundaries, as long as they have shared interests. We are also able to keep in touch with old friends and acquaintances even after our paths diverge.

Television

Television, compared to other media, has been greatly affected by the digital age. New stars and tv shows come out of internet shows. Actors are using the internet as a base for self promotion. They are able to showcase their talent and gain a following, which may lead to an acting break. Danny Glover of "Community" got his start on Youtube on a sketch comedy show. Lisa Kudrow has a new show called “Web Therapy” which started as an online show and now is on cable.
The digital age has also bought challenges to cable tv. Many shows, which once were exclusive to cable tv or certain channels, are now readily available online for free. Netflix is another way people have access to tv shows and movies instantly. In our current economy, many people are forgoing their cable tv for alternative options on the internet.

Education

Digital technology has changed our educational environment. Smartboards and faster computers with internet in the classrooms are found in many classrooms today. With these technologies, educators are able to bring interactive and visual elements to the students.
Online education has changed the traditional form of education in which all the students and teachers are in the same area. The movement of education to the digital world draws people from all over and places them together in a “room”. It also allows for people who do not have the time for traditional education to take classes and apply for degrees in their own time. My sister has recently started to take a language course online, where someone from Asia connects with her on Skype and is teaching her the language.