Blurred boundaries in an increasingly digital world

Digital technologies have become smaller, more sophisticated, and ubiquitous, impacting and shaping every facet of our lives.

The once clear divide between the ‘real world’ and the digital world is now blurred. Who we are online is no longer considered as separate from how we interact with people in person; instead, what we do online increasingly impacts what we do in the physical world, and vice versa. Our personal life has become intertwined with our professional life. Our work time has been muddled up with our leisure time. We now need to manage not only a physical identity, but a virtual one as well. This has led many to turn to ‘digital detoxes’ to gain any sense of separation from technology to remind themselves – or even to prove to themselves – that they can function without it.

Not only is the boundary between the digital and the physical becoming increasingly blurry, but so are the boundaries between technologies themselves. We have shifted from individual products and devices to a digital ecosystem. A smartphone is no longer used simply for calling and messaging; rather, it is the key device through which individuals can purchase products, interact with their financial institutions, access news and current affairs, and stream music and videos. People can now seamlessly interact with and transfer applications and services from one device to another.