“They Already Know Everything.”
Computer Use by Teenagers and Associated Perceptions in Rural Communities

Computer Use by Teenagers and Associated Perceptions in Rural Communities

Summary/Abstract: The statement highlighted in the title, “they already know everything”, refers to a small group of Generation Z, rural children and teenagers in three communities in contemporary Transylvania. It is not them who describe themselves so, but a grown-up, a representative of Generation Y, Zalán M., an expert in the maintenance and use of digital devices who is recognized as such in the communities. Because of the recognition of his competence as an expert and the legitimacy this brings him, his views, which he proclaims vehemently and publicly, are shared by others as well.The cases presented in this paper come from a long-term field work with lengthy interruptions. The location is the communities of Vărgata commune in Mureș county (Vărgata, Valea, Mitrești, as well as to a lesser extent Grâușorul and Vadu). I have been present as an ethnographer in the field since 2004, conducting observations focusing on various topics. My goal was the holistic understanding of the cultural behaviour and the creation of interpretations using knowledge from anthropological literature. Since the appearance and proliferation of digital and new media devices, the elements of knowledge needed to operate them and the attitudes associated with them are a new phenomenon that has been brought into the crosshairs of public attention in these last few years (since 2009), this paper draws on the contextual knowledge I have developed throughout the years of fieldwork to understand the computer use of the young members of Generation Z and the general perceptions the computer engenders, as well as opinions and ways of behaviour associated with it.

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