I-Search Paper ~ Draft # 2
The Effects of Technology on Todays Youth
Proposal
I have chosen to write about the effects of technology on todays youth. My research question is if technology is supposed to improve our way of living then why has it had such a negative impact on todays youth? As a parent I want what’s best for my child and I’ve come to realize that technology can be a double edged sword. I know that having access to computers, tablets, e-readers, or educational games can help significantly in any learning experience, but how much is to much? And since children are learning to use all of these electronics at such an early age it becomes second nature to them and its becoming increasingly difficult to remove them completely. Although my son is still fairly young, he is however extremely intelligent, resourceful, and quite curious. He hasn't been introduced to social media but he does use the internet. That terrifies me especially with all the media coverage on suicides due to cyber bullying, or young kids sexting, or predators being able to pinpoint an exact location of where a picture was taken, the list goes on. As if that isn't enough in itself, what else can go wrong? How else can todays technology impact our youth? From this research I not only hope to find answers for myself but also for other parents and guardians who may have some reservations.
Process
Due to some unforeseen circumstances I had a later start than most on writing this paper. This was slightly discouraging at first but instead of giving up I thought of something, my teacher gave our class all of the same tools so if they could do it so could I. Before writing or even brainstorming my topic I decided to go back and review all my notes from class, which included notes on ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), logos (logic or reasoning), and rhetorical analysis. I began asking myself questions like; What is important to me? Who is my audience? What is the message that I want to convey? And how do I want to say it? After some time going back and forth between a couple topics that resonated with me I found my topic. The ironic part of this was researching and writing this whole paper with technology, on my laptop, in the comforts of my own home. The google search engine became my best friend. After finding and printing several scholarly articles that could assist me with my paper, I read through and highlighted any supporting information that I could use. I put that information aside for the time being. I took out my note book and began writing words, phases, and short paragraphs on what came to mind when thinking about technology and youth today. When I felt I had enough information I began piecing the puzzle together to form a draft of only the “paper” part of my essay. When that was complete I printed it out, read it aloud, and corrected what mistakes I saw. I then began writing the other portions of my essay.
Paper
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? 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’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. 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.
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.
I am however 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.
Ponder
After researching and writing this paper I realized that there is so much information supporting both sides of this topic that it is extremely difficult to compile only a few good supporting statements. Also, as a parent of a younger child I am going to monitor his time using technology more than usual to prevent him from missing out on his childhood. It is a parents duty to keep their children safe why not start right at home?
Works Cited
Shmuley, Rabbi. Technology and Children Oprah Winfrey. 15 january 2006.
Wilkie, Danielle. "Negative Effects of Technology of Children." PSU.edu 21 March 2010.
I have chosen to write about the effects of technology on todays youth. My research question is if technology is supposed to improve our way of living then why has it had such a negative impact on todays youth? As a parent I want what’s best for my child and I’ve come to realize that technology can be a double edged sword. I know that having access to computers, tablets, e-readers, or educational games can help significantly in any learning experience, but how much is to much? And since children are learning to use all of these electronics at such an early age it becomes second nature to them and its becoming increasingly difficult to remove them completely. Although my son is still fairly young, he is however extremely intelligent, resourceful, and quite curious. He hasn't been introduced to social media but he does use the internet. That terrifies me especially with all the media coverage on suicides due to cyber bullying, or young kids sexting, or predators being able to pinpoint an exact location of where a picture was taken, the list goes on. As if that isn't enough in itself, what else can go wrong? How else can todays technology impact our youth? From this research I not only hope to find answers for myself but also for other parents and guardians who may have some reservations.
Process
Due to some unforeseen circumstances I had a later start than most on writing this paper. This was slightly discouraging at first but instead of giving up I thought of something, my teacher gave our class all of the same tools so if they could do it so could I. Before writing or even brainstorming my topic I decided to go back and review all my notes from class, which included notes on ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), logos (logic or reasoning), and rhetorical analysis. I began asking myself questions like; What is important to me? Who is my audience? What is the message that I want to convey? And how do I want to say it? After some time going back and forth between a couple topics that resonated with me I found my topic. The ironic part of this was researching and writing this whole paper with technology, on my laptop, in the comforts of my own home. The google search engine became my best friend. After finding and printing several scholarly articles that could assist me with my paper, I read through and highlighted any supporting information that I could use. I put that information aside for the time being. I took out my note book and began writing words, phases, and short paragraphs on what came to mind when thinking about technology and youth today. When I felt I had enough information I began piecing the puzzle together to form a draft of only the “paper” part of my essay. When that was complete I printed it out, read it aloud, and corrected what mistakes I saw. I then began writing the other portions of my essay.
Paper
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? 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’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. 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.
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.
I am however 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.
Ponder
After researching and writing this paper I realized that there is so much information supporting both sides of this topic that it is extremely difficult to compile only a few good supporting statements. Also, as a parent of a younger child I am going to monitor his time using technology more than usual to prevent him from missing out on his childhood. It is a parents duty to keep their children safe why not start right at home?
Works Cited
Shmuley, Rabbi. Technology and Children Oprah Winfrey. 15 january 2006.
Wilkie, Danielle. "Negative Effects of Technology of Children." PSU.edu 21 March 2010.