In South Korea, “digital natives” are sprouting up at a fast pace to help cement the nation’s global status as a high-tech pacesetter full of technology gurus. The Korea Times reports.

The term, “digital native,” was coined to refer to the first generation who was born and grew up in the 21st century Internet era surrounded by gadgets like computers and cell phones.

“Some babies here appear to pick up a computer mouse and cell phone earlier than a spoon and chopsticks,” said Park Jung-hyun, a senior researcher at LG Economic Research Institute.

… A recent government survey found that 50.3 percent of three-to five-year-olds log onto the Internet at least once a month. They were found to have first faced the Web at 3.2 years on average.

“Digital natives are thinking, acting and reacting much differently from how we did, mainly because their childhoods are in large part shaped by technology,” Park said.

“Their lifestyle, formed in line with newest technologies, can be a huge asset for this nation. They will grow up to become developers of futuristic techniques or consumers to help the related markets take root,” he said.

Some regard digital natives as a potential blessing for Korea, but some experts voice concerns on the increasing number of the young techno geeks.

… With both the positive and negative aspects of digital natives, Korea is expected to become a target of benchmarking, according to Kim Kyung-mo, an economist at the local brokerage Mirae Asset.”