I-Search Paper ~ Draft #1
The Effects of Technology on Todays Youth
Instagram! Facebook! Snapchat! Oh my! Technology is everywhere from purifying drinking water to the boom of social networks. Electronics are advancing rapidly and becoming more and more apart of everyday life. Most of technology has aided in making life safer, easier, and more efficient. Although while looking at the general public walking around like zombies hypnotized by the glowing screen of a smartphone or tablet I begin to wonder if having the world at our fingertips is a blessing or a curse? And more importantly how is this effecting todays youth? Kids are constantly consumed by electronics, gadgets and the internet. While our future leaders and parents of the world are glued to computer screens, I can’t help but to ask the question, when do they have time to be kids? While technology can be useful in many ways, we have to stop and ask ourselves if it is doing more harm then good. Todays youth have become dependent on technology which has led to obesity, stunting intellectual growth, and social awkwardness. That isn’t the worst of it some technology has even put them at risk of cyber bullying, online predators, and even causing deaths.
The younger generations rely on electronics on every day activity from simple tasks as in a quick text to a friend, to more complex tasks like researching schoolwork. “According to an article in The New York times, the average kid ages 8-18 spends 7 ½ hours a day using technology gadgets equaling 2 ½ hours of music, almost 5 hours of TV and movies, 3 hours of internet and video games, and just 38 minutes of old fashioned reading.”(New York Times 2010). Wow! That’s like working overtime at a full-time job as a child. This leaves little to no time be a kid. It seems as though its a domino effect. There are still only 24 hours in a day. So, while our youth is spending a growing amount of time using different forms of technology it is only taking away time from other activities such as social and physical activities, schoolwork, hobbies, family time, and sleep.
Technology was designed to make everyday living more efficient and effective, how much harm could a little extra TV or game time possibly do? Ive come to realize a lot. Since children are trading the great outdoors for virtual reality it has caused issues. Children aren't getting enough physical activity and it is also effecting sleep habits, both of which have a major impact on a childs weight. In todays world kids would rather stay in and watch a movie or play a game then go play outside. Or since technology is so easily accessible they may be using these devices when they should be asleep. Lack of sleep impacts metabolism which leads to weight gain. This is why many children are becoming overweight or obese.
Child hood obesity is on the rise due to lack of exercise. “According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in a study in 2004, 16% of children (over 9 million) that are between the ages of 6-19 are overweight or obese, a number that has tripled since 1980 (mostly due to electronic usage). (New York Times 2010). This proves the old saying that too much of something is not good and in this case can lead to dangerous side effects. Obesity can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and many other health problems. Children often consume junk foods while plopped in front of the TV probably because these unhealthy food products are always advertising on TV. Kids need to turn off the TV, put down the fork, and start thinking for themselves. Studies have shown that kids will eat anything that is put in front of them when they are watching TV.
Children’s brains are fragile and can be molded into whatever their environment wants it to be. Kid’s environments today are surrounded by monitors, cell phones, and video games. So what are they really learning? Usually just how to surf the web, text and get to the next level in their video game. They leave very little room in that fragile young mind for actually learning. Most kids can’t spell simple words without spell check, they can’t perform math problems without a calculator. (Wilkie)Without these gadgets children would be lost on their own. Rabbi Shumley has said that “Technology snuffs out creativity” and turns them into what he calls “the living dead, who sit open-mouthed, jaws a gape, amid mind numbing, two- dimensional images.” (Shmuley) Which sounds ridiculous but I have to agree with the Rabbi. An example is when I tried to talk with my friends little brother while the television was on. I walked in the room and simply said “Hello” and got no response back. I tried again but still no response. Then my friend said “oh don’t even bother while the TV is on”. It’s like they drift off in their own little world or technology. I remember when children including myself would drift off into our own world using our imaginations.
Children are losing their imaginations. They don’t need to drift off into their own imagination land when they are constantly entertained with gadgets. According to Rabbi Shmuley “Technology separates children from nature. As a result, children are losing their sense of awe, majesty and wonder that only the natural world can inspire.” (Shmuley) Their fun adolescent minds are now replaced with pixilated images. There’s no need for creativity when theres high definition or 3D movies. Books not only taught children patience but also it helped them use their own mind to create their story. An example of using your imagination is when I was in High School. There was a punishment call I.S.S which stands or in school suspension. I.S.S is where students sat in a room all day long and were not allowed to talk. Every student hated this punishment except for me. While most students fought the urge to stay awake, I would use my imagination and drift off into my own little world. Even in my adult years, I never lost the power of creativity when it comes to daydreaming or using my imagination.
Technology can also make children socially awkward. Computers, TV’S and IPods cannot teach kids human interaction. They can Google it but never fully understand it without the experience. Monitors cannot teach kids eye contact or conversational skills. This is probably why they can’t hold either one for very long. Many spend too much time on the computer that they isolate themselves from the outside world. So once they are finally in social situations, they aren’t quite the social butterflies they should be. Though, I am aware that there could be many explanations for children who are socially awkward. I just think that spending too much time with technology doesn’t help them reach their social potential.
Though, I am aware that technology has its benefits. Its helps us receive and learn information a lot faster than it used to. Children can explore the internet world and find out about things that books or parents cannot teach them. Young children are able to operate computers which is a good thing because they will need it for the future. Computers are great for educational and occupational purposes. My argument is that I feel children should use all aspects of technology is moderation. They should spend more time with their families and friends, not some computer screen. Children should go outside, play games and enjoy their youth. They should talk to one another face to face and not through email or Face book. Children should use technology to help with certain aspects of their life, not make it their life.
The younger generations rely on electronics on every day activity from simple tasks as in a quick text to a friend, to more complex tasks like researching schoolwork. “According to an article in The New York times, the average kid ages 8-18 spends 7 ½ hours a day using technology gadgets equaling 2 ½ hours of music, almost 5 hours of TV and movies, 3 hours of internet and video games, and just 38 minutes of old fashioned reading.”(New York Times 2010). Wow! That’s like working overtime at a full-time job as a child. This leaves little to no time be a kid. It seems as though its a domino effect. There are still only 24 hours in a day. So, while our youth is spending a growing amount of time using different forms of technology it is only taking away time from other activities such as social and physical activities, schoolwork, hobbies, family time, and sleep.
Technology was designed to make everyday living more efficient and effective, how much harm could a little extra TV or game time possibly do? Ive come to realize a lot. Since children are trading the great outdoors for virtual reality it has caused issues. Children aren't getting enough physical activity and it is also effecting sleep habits, both of which have a major impact on a childs weight. In todays world kids would rather stay in and watch a movie or play a game then go play outside. Or since technology is so easily accessible they may be using these devices when they should be asleep. Lack of sleep impacts metabolism which leads to weight gain. This is why many children are becoming overweight or obese.
Child hood obesity is on the rise due to lack of exercise. “According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in a study in 2004, 16% of children (over 9 million) that are between the ages of 6-19 are overweight or obese, a number that has tripled since 1980 (mostly due to electronic usage). (New York Times 2010). This proves the old saying that too much of something is not good and in this case can lead to dangerous side effects. Obesity can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and many other health problems. Children often consume junk foods while plopped in front of the TV probably because these unhealthy food products are always advertising on TV. Kids need to turn off the TV, put down the fork, and start thinking for themselves. Studies have shown that kids will eat anything that is put in front of them when they are watching TV.
Children’s brains are fragile and can be molded into whatever their environment wants it to be. Kid’s environments today are surrounded by monitors, cell phones, and video games. So what are they really learning? Usually just how to surf the web, text and get to the next level in their video game. They leave very little room in that fragile young mind for actually learning. Most kids can’t spell simple words without spell check, they can’t perform math problems without a calculator. (Wilkie)Without these gadgets children would be lost on their own. Rabbi Shumley has said that “Technology snuffs out creativity” and turns them into what he calls “the living dead, who sit open-mouthed, jaws a gape, amid mind numbing, two- dimensional images.” (Shmuley) Which sounds ridiculous but I have to agree with the Rabbi. An example is when I tried to talk with my friends little brother while the television was on. I walked in the room and simply said “Hello” and got no response back. I tried again but still no response. Then my friend said “oh don’t even bother while the TV is on”. It’s like they drift off in their own little world or technology. I remember when children including myself would drift off into our own world using our imaginations.
Children are losing their imaginations. They don’t need to drift off into their own imagination land when they are constantly entertained with gadgets. According to Rabbi Shmuley “Technology separates children from nature. As a result, children are losing their sense of awe, majesty and wonder that only the natural world can inspire.” (Shmuley) Their fun adolescent minds are now replaced with pixilated images. There’s no need for creativity when theres high definition or 3D movies. Books not only taught children patience but also it helped them use their own mind to create their story. An example of using your imagination is when I was in High School. There was a punishment call I.S.S which stands or in school suspension. I.S.S is where students sat in a room all day long and were not allowed to talk. Every student hated this punishment except for me. While most students fought the urge to stay awake, I would use my imagination and drift off into my own little world. Even in my adult years, I never lost the power of creativity when it comes to daydreaming or using my imagination.
Technology can also make children socially awkward. Computers, TV’S and IPods cannot teach kids human interaction. They can Google it but never fully understand it without the experience. Monitors cannot teach kids eye contact or conversational skills. This is probably why they can’t hold either one for very long. Many spend too much time on the computer that they isolate themselves from the outside world. So once they are finally in social situations, they aren’t quite the social butterflies they should be. Though, I am aware that there could be many explanations for children who are socially awkward. I just think that spending too much time with technology doesn’t help them reach their social potential.
Though, I am aware that technology has its benefits. Its helps us receive and learn information a lot faster than it used to. Children can explore the internet world and find out about things that books or parents cannot teach them. Young children are able to operate computers which is a good thing because they will need it for the future. Computers are great for educational and occupational purposes. My argument is that I feel children should use all aspects of technology is moderation. They should spend more time with their families and friends, not some computer screen. Children should go outside, play games and enjoy their youth. They should talk to one another face to face and not through email or Face book. Children should use technology to help with certain aspects of their life, not make it their life.