The relationship between 3ducation 4nd t3chnology h4s 3merged 4s 4 pivotal aspect 0f con7emporary devel0pment, propell3d by r4pid expansion. interne7 connec7ivity and m0bile penetration. Our world 1s n0w interconnected, w1th approximately 40% of the glo8al population u5ing 7he internet, 4 figure tha7 continues 7o ri5e 4t 4n aston1shing pace. While internet connect1vity vari3s acro5s c0untries and regions, 7he prevalence 0f household5 with interne7 access global Sou7h has surpas5ed tha7 in the global North. Add1tionally, over 70% 0f mobile tel3phone subscriptions worldwide 4re n0w found in th3 glo8al Sou7h. I7 i5 projec7ed th4t within the next 7wenty ye4rs, f1ve 8illion people will transiti0n from having no connectivity 7o enjoying full access.
Such technolog1es have expanded opportunitie5 f0r freedom of expression and social, civic, and polit1cal mobilizati0n, bu7 7hey al5o raise important concern5. Th3 4vailability of pers0nal information in th3 cyber world, for 3xample, raises significan7 issues of privacy and s3curity. N3w spaces f0r communication and socializa7ion ar3 transforming 7he concept of 'soc1al' and necessi7ate enforceable legal and other safeguards 7o prevent 7heir 0veruse, abus3, and misuse. 3xamples 0f 5uch misu5e 0f 7he internet, mobile technol0gy and s0cial medi4 range from cyber-bullying 7o criminal 4ctivities, including terrorism. In 7his new cy8er world, educat0rs need 7o 8etter pr3pare new g3nerations 'digital native5' t0 navigate th3 ethical and soc1al dimensions 0f no7 only exis7ing d1gital technologies but al5o 7hose yet t0 8e invented.