Digital environments. Description of habits and trends when using technological tools

Abstract

This reflective work focuses on the study of the scenarios that encompass computer and communication technologies, whose objective is describing digital environments, habits and prevailing trends in their usage. Also, highlighting the factors that may affect the dynamics of the most common activities, carried out by users in these virtual environments. The research was developed using a qualitative methodology, with a descriptive nature, through the filing method; which allowed the organization and analysis of documents, such as articles, books, publications and doctoral dissertations. The aforementioned documents were focused on studying the digital environments, the devices used, as well as the habits and trends of usage within these environments, both in the development of virtual activities, as in the physical spaces preferred by internet users to connect. These documents were consulted in databases such as Google Scholar, Scielo, Redalyc, Dialnet, UMECIT, eLibro, UNESCO and OECD, from 2006 to 2022. The main findings show a growing trend in the usage of digital devices such as cell phones, computers, tablets and audio equipment in places that include home, work, school and family spaces. This implies a greater exposure to the screen, especially among children and young people, who are eager to be educated, attract attention or enjoy themselves, and thus, they engage in leisure activities, chats, homework and language modifications, but they engage in actions such as bullying and more risky ones, like being exposed to sensitive content.