We are permanently plugged into a network of digital devices, bringing the world to our fingertips in a way our previous generation could only have imagined.
Social media tremendously contributed to a reduced need of face-to-face interaction. Almost all of us have friends we’ve never met with whom we interact regularly both at workplace and outside of workplace. Kids today spend more time with digital devices and media than with their parents or teachers. As we become more and more “social” on all of the various social networking sites, are we pushing the next generation to become more and more antisocial and alienated? You’ve seen that moody, withdrawn kid who is blasting music of iPod and the one rapidly texting and ignoring your mere existence around them, haven’t you?
What is your opinion on the cultural phenomenon social media is creating?
The Internet, cell phones, text messaging and other technology dominate communication and are an integral part of life for majority of minors. Teens are texting, discovering new trends, music, bands online rather than spending face-to-face time with human beings.
Rather than playing outside, kids are on the computer, smart phone or watching TV, instead of interacting with friends face-to-face they are playing video games or texting each other. Most likely, the next generation prefers digital devices over a park.
According to June 2011 Consumer Reports Magazine-
- 20 million minors actively used Facebook in the past year of which 7.5 million were younger than 13 who are not supposed to be able to use the site.
- Among young users, more than 5 million were 10 and under, and their accounts were largely unsupervised by their parents.
According to a Kaiser Family foundation study conducted in 2010 –
- 66% of all 8- to 18-year-olds own a cell phone.
- 31% of 8- to 10-year-olds own a cell phone.
- 69% of 11- to 14-year-olds own a cell phone.
- 85% of 15- to 18-year-olds own a cell phone.
In a typical day, 46% of 8- to 18-year olds report sending text messages on a cell phone. Those who uses the texting feature estimate an average of 118 messages in a typical day. On average, 7th–12th graders spends about an hour and a half engaged in sending and receiving texts.
Use of these devices for minors is time away from face to face interaction. Time that could have been used to experience nature, to make personal relationship.
Being wired is the way of life now.
This viral spread of “what’s hot and what’s not” is creating a new type of community mindset. Information sharing is faster, quicker, and packs a bigger punch than any other time in history. As much as I love using technology and reap its benefit, I worry, at times, where we are pushing our next generation.
Are we grooming a generation with substandard social abilities due to the personal interactions and new experiences they lack? How will they function as adults, face reality, solve problems, and make personal relationship? To continue reaping the benefit of technology, are we at a point to confront the challenges prevalent in our 24/7 digital world?
I wonder if it is time for new laws? For education for parents and teachers? Or is it simply time for awareness to maximize the benefits of social networking and technology and minimize risks for our children who are the most vulnerable and need constant care, support and direction from adults to be successful later in life.
I wonder, as parents, how can we let those 8 and 10 year olds go unsupervised when they are not even old enough to use the social media sites legally?
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Lail Hossain is a working mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, management consultant and the founder and publisher of With A Spin. She shares insight on how to tackle and celebrate everyday life through food, creativity and family on her blog. Lail values and shares quick and easy recipes blended with flavors, mostly healthy with some indulgence here and there. She also writes and photographs various topics that include family, raising kids, and DIY projects. Her recipes and DIY home projects have been published in numerous national and international online and in-prints magazines. You can find her on – Facebook Pinterest Twitter Google+
