Hit the “pause” key! Stop the presses! Is it time to reconsider this blogger’s quest to promote greater use of computer technology and telecommunications? Have I really thought through the impact that computers, cell phones, video games, text messaging, and – YES – even blogs will have on those children and young people who are constantly connected?
“What’s the fallout for kids who are always plugged in?” was the cover story for the “SF Chronicle Magazine” this past Sunday. Katherine Seligman reports some interesting anecdotes and statistics about young people who spend from five to six hours a day on the computer. (Sounds like me; but I admit that I’m an addict.) Seriously, a 2005 Kaiser Family Foundation survey indicated that it isn’t unusual for high school students to spend 6.5 hours a day “plugged in” to some form of electronic media. Many parents are concerned about the long-term effects of such exposure.
For example, one teen-ager is quoted as saying, “I’m pretty much on the computer 24/7, when one is available. I take the usual breaks for sleep, school, and other such necessities (and I don’t believe that computer use really encroaches or takes away from those activities), but otherwise I’m most always on the computer.”
One source of information that I often quote (The Pew Internet & American Life Project), has documented that more than 85% of the 8-18-year-olds in their survey had computers at home, and that 75% had Internet access at home. I don’t want to over-play this computer “addiction” theme, but in the past decade, several centers devoted to computer or Internet addiction have opened around the country. There isn’t space in my blog to describe all the behavioral concerns addressed; i.e., impact of multitasking upon the brain (particularly in young children), lack of face-to-face human contact, lack of physical exercise.
My major reason in calling this article to the attention of the viewers of this blog is to see what you think about this growing concern related to the amount of time youth spend with the electronic gizmos of today’s world. (Sounds similar to some of the same concerns raised during the age of radio, TV, and comic books.) Please feel fee to post your comments and let’s see where an online dialogue might take us.
BTW, I came across a “Calvin & Hobbes” comic strip from March 1996, and here’s their conversation in four panels.
#1- Hobbes, Have you been reading about the “electronic superhighway?”
#2- Calvin, Pretty soon, computers, telephones and TVs will all be hooked together to bring instantaneous, interactive communication right into our homes!
#3- Calvin, But Dad says he liked it better when you had to communicate by mail, and you knew you wouldn’t hear back for at least a week.
#4- Hobbes, Of course your Dad thinks transportation should’ve stopped with the bicycle. Calvin, I’m a 21st century kid trapped in a 19th century family.
Remember, this was 10 years ago. Hmmm, sounds like the Good Ole Days moved along at a slower pace. Were we better off then? Were our children better adjusted? Have computer technology and telecommunication enhanced our quality of life? What do you think? Stay tuned.