Generation Technology Essay

Submitted By quilav
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GENERATION TECHNOLOGY 1

Generation Technology
Alyssa­Arrianne Quilang
Florida State College of Jacksonville

GENERATION TECHNOLOGY 2

Generation Technology
The modern world has gifted society with technological advances only thought possible in the realm of science fiction. We now have more technology in our pockets than when we put men on the moon. Although many would argue that these advances in technology has made the world better, technology has also negatively impacted how children have grown up in this post­modern technological age. This negative impact can be showcased by the actions of the today’s youth through their lack of physical activity, limited social interaction and their false sense of entitlement.
Technology has given us the the ability to find information faster and aid in the development of younger children. Today, we can find virtually anything on the Internet. It is impossible to go through the day without interacting with some form of technology. Even toddlers can learn simple colors and shapes through gaming Apps on mobile devices. Everything you would possibly want to know can be found with a few taps on the keyboard and a few clicks of a button. Everything has just become easier for us since we barely have to do anything.
Instead of going out to learn, the technology to do so is right in our hands, whether it is a laptop or a cell phone. Children today do not even have to go out to the library as much to do research because most likely you can find all that you need on the Internet.
However, there is a slight glitch in the matter. Children are not getting enough time to play outside as much as they used to. They click and tap away on their devices. This is a major problem. All they do is sit. Researchers say that children should get at least sixty minutes of play time each day (“Physical Activity,” n.d. para. 2). Without physical activity, children are at higher risks of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. There are things I have observed with some

GENERATION TECHNOLOGY 3

children in my family. As soon as they discover games on their phones, they were hooked. I saw their need to play on the devices outweighed their need to go outside and play with other children. Conversely, the lack of playing outside has led to limited social interaction. I’m glad that we are not in the carrier pigeon age where it takes a couple of days for a message. We have advanced technology such that we can now send messages instantly. Our form of communication has grown to where we have more than one way to talk to one another such as e­mails, text messaging and phone calls. For children today, that is a huge advantage. Instead of having to wait the next day to talk to a friend, they can text them and have a never ending conversation flowing through the phone. Some people believe that technology brings children closer together.
Stout (2010) , found a parent who agreed with this. She said, “
I actually think they’re closer because they’re more in contact with each other — anything that comes to my mind, I’m going to text you right away.” This is true, children are now in more contact with each other more than ever. Not only through text messaging, but through social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
Yet, with all of this technology, it seems like it has taken time away from actual face­to­face conversations. Children can talk to some many people at once over the internet or the phone that you can barely even call it a conversation. There is no real intimacy or connection when talking through the phone.
As they grow older with technology, children will lose their ability to have a real­life