WIIFM: absorptive capacity for digital natives in explorative space and tech education for survival in the virtual world*

Preparing younger generations with sufficient knowledge and skills to address global challenges is increasingly important. Given the limitations of formal schooling systems in cultivating understanding of complex issues, digital spaces can complement formal education by supporting children’s knowledge. The current study examines this proposition by investigating the relationships among digital literacy, epistemic curiosity and knowledge of global issues. Using Bayesian Mindsponge Framework analytics on data from 2069 students in 54 Vietnamese elementary, secondary and high schools, the authors found that higher digital literacy was associated with greater curiosity and knowledge of global issues, including climate change, disease, overpopulation and population ageing. Students’ curiosity also mediates the relationship between digital literacy and knowledge of global issues. These findings suggest that digital explorative spaces are essential for preparing digital natives for individual and societal survival. Emotional intelligence helps them mitigate risks and navigate the uncertainty and chaos of an uncharted virtual world.