DIGI SOCIETY
My Digital Journey and Reflections
Digital Environment in My Life
The digital environment has been a significant part of my life since childhood. I had my first experience with computers in elementary school, where we practiced using email and learned about internet safety. In middle school, digital cameras introduced us to image editing, and social media became part of our lives. At that time, we still applied to high school using paper forms.
In high school, we began selecting courses through Wilma and wrote some of our essays on computers. Applications for post-secondary education were submitted electronically. However, during the matriculation exam, I still wrote my answers by hand and counted the words manually.
Studies and Work Experience
I studied Civic Activities and Youth Work at Humak University of Applied Sciences and graduated in December 2012. The studies lasted three and a half years. I spent my first academic year on the Tornio campus. During my second year, I studied abroad. After returning to Finland, I moved to a new city and continued my studies remotely. In my third year, I started working and completed my degree while employed.
I have worked at the intersection of education and social services. My work has involved communication with clients and multidisciplinary teams. I’ve observed how digital technology can both connect and isolate people. It enables collaboration across distances, allowing people to work on the same project regardless of location.
Digitalization and Its Impact
Digital technology transcends borders. It allows us to study and work from anywhere, build careers in our chosen locations, and access education even in underserved areas. Education fosters competence, which in turn drives service development. Well-developed services attract users, leading to economic and social growth.
Opportunities and Risks of Open Digital Environments
Our digital footprints are extensive. People have shared more personal information online than they often realize. We are accustomed to using open digital platforms for communication and entertainment. However, even seemingly private messaging apps can carry risks. It’s wise to only share information online that you’d be comfortable posting on a public noticeboard.
Open digital environments offer opportunities for sharing knowledge, best practices, and learning. Personally, I use WhatsApp for both work and personal communication. At work, I prefer using email or dedicated workplace communication tools, though I may use WhatsApp for light coordination, such as scheduling.
Organizations have had to create official security guidelines for operating in digital environments. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the basis for the digital rules of the workplace. When working with young people, social media is often part of the work environment. As professionals, we must be aware of our roles and help young people understand what kind of information is safe to share online.
Testing ChatGPT
I asked ChatGPT three questions about early support services for youth:
- What does early support in services for youth mean?
Even though I phrased the question incorrectly, ChatGPT responded in a way that aligned with what I had learned in my Early Support Specialist studies. - How can early support be developed in Finnish society?
ChatGPT provided concrete suggestions for developing early support through multidisciplinary collaboration. - What decisions has the Finnish government made between 2022–2025 to promote early support?
The answer surprised me. The government has made many decisions to enhance early support services for youth. The list of actions gives the impression that early support is functioning well in Finland and that young people are doing fine. However, this information should be read critically, as many of the decisions are recent and the change process is still ongoing.
Here are the summaries of the responses I received:
“Early support in services for youth generally refers to interventions and assistance provided to young people at an early stage in their lives to address issues they might be facing. This could include a range of services like mental health support, educational guidance, social services, or programs aimed at preventing more serious problems later on. The idea is to prevent problems from escalating by addressing them early, creating a foundation for better long-term development.”
“Developing early support for youth in Finland requires a multi-layered, coordinated approach. Building on Finland’s existing social welfare system and education model, the focus should be on prevention, accessibility, inclusivity, and empowering youth. Collaboration between schools, families, local communities, and the government will be key to creating a strong support network that helps young people thrive in all aspects of their lives.”
“Between 2022 and 2025, the Finnish government has made substantial strides in promoting early support for youth. By focusing on mental health, school reforms, family-centered welfare services, and the digitalization of support tools, the government aims to provide comprehensive, accessible, and timely support to young people in Finland. These efforts are designed to ensure that young people facing challenges—whether mental health issues, family difficulties, or educational setbacks—receive the help they need before problems escalate.”
Self-Evaluation
I work fluently in various digital environments and understand the risks involved. Digitalization enables flexible working and learning. Ideally, it allows people to spend more time on meaningful activities.
The rise of AI in recent years has sparked mixed feelings. I’ve learned to use AI to support and structure my thinking. At first, using AI felt like cheating, but after trying ChatGPT, I realized it can be a valuable tool for learning and reflection.
I commented these blogs: