Thursday, January 21, 2010

Growing Up Online


Technology has been around my entire life. Starting in third grade, I started going to classes on how to type and how to avoid predators. However, back then, technology (the internet and emails) were only for adults, it's how they communicated with one another at work and how they got their work done. Now though, it's started to become the way teenagers interact with each other. It's become an escape for them, it's a private place away from their parents, where they can talk or basically do whatever they want, without having parental knowledge. And it's great, I know I'd much rather post something on someone's facebook wall or text them then call them. It's great for working on projects and getting to know new people. The thing is, that this is ALL the new teen's are doing. They are only interacting with their peers online and in turn aren't able to interact with people face to face. New video games allow you to talk to someone while they're at their own house. There is no need to go to their house, to see them, to interact with them, and I fear it will only get worse. I think people my age are at the very end of those that have not really grown up with technology. Yes, it has always been there, but not the way it is today. Growing up online is convenient, it's an easy way to get things done, to have your privacy and even reinvent your self. But when it starts to become all that you do, you lose social skills you need to have to succeed in life.

1 comment:

  1. I like how you brought up how technology was mostly just for grownups when we were little! You are so right and it's weird I had forgotten it because technology is such a big part of my life I forgot what it was like before we had so much. I also thing it's a great point you brought up loss of social skills because that does seem where society is leading to. I think that being said it is important for parents and teachers to limit time when teens are using technology so we can see the beautiful world out there!

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