Contemporary society revolves around the utilization of all sorts of innovative technological appliances, devices, and accessories. In fact, technology has become so essential that anyone born after the 1980’s can be referred to as a “digital native”, according to communications professor Dr. Pavica Sheldon. This term was coined due to the fact that nowadays, children are immersed in an environment surrounded by televisions, computers, cell phones, video games, cameras, and stereos.
To further exemplify this fact, consider this quick statistic: more than 50 percent of five year olds regularly interact with a computer or tablet device and between ages seven and eight, youngsters regularly play video games. Not only are children immersed in this environment, they are starting to become a part of it. A 2014 Consumer Report story stated that more than 7.5 million American children under the age of 13 joined Facebook, despite the known rule that one has to be at least 13 years old to independently open an account. This proves that technology has a substantial impact on the behavior of the modern youth. Unfortunately, every coin has two sides. Technology may generate a friendlier and interactive learning environment, but it may also contribute to lack of exercise and a warped sense of reality.
Technological devices like cell phones and iPads are easily capable of capturing a teenager’s attention with one simple notification. That is all it takes to lure in a teen to the distracting forces of technology. Serving as a distraction hinders a teenager’s will to voluntarily exercise and partake in proactive activities like reading, studying, or tending to the needs of others, according to a Business Communication course at Ashton College. By skewing their attention, technology is capable of causing teens to become unaware of the time and/or their surroundings. This tendency may be the root of the modern American dilemma: obesity. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children require at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily to maintain a healthy weight and level of fitness. However, as rapid advances in technology develop, teenagers get caught up in the new, coolest gadgets and tend to unconsciously forget about the old, healthy traditions of an active, healthy, and literate society. Computers and cell phones can endure a teen’s attention for hours at a time, while they omit exercising, homework, and face-to-face communication. This pattern contributes to weight gain and a drop in literacy abilities.
It may even refine a teenager’s thoughts, by implementing ideas that were never originally considered. The social media poses a threat to the innocence and overall health of millions of teenagers, by constantly inundating them with multitudes of negative glorifications. For example, drug use, sexual activity, and underage drinking are just some of the things highlighted online, in movies, and in video games. An unexpected introduction to these risky behaviors can cause a teenager to develop a warped sense of what is acceptable and non-acceptable–pertaining to his or her own actions.
The American Pathological Association has conducted studies proving that adolescents who use social networking sites regularly demonstrate narcissistic tendencies more often than those who do not use this technological medium. Younger teens also put themselves at risk when chatting online, since they may not comprehend that the Internet allows adults to pose as children and seek out private information. All of these factors contribute to the dark side of technology.
On the other hand, technology can massively contribute to the academic field. When students are using it as an academic tool, or they are in an active role, rather than the passively being the recipient of information transmitted by a teacher and textbook. By engaging in online educational activities, students tend to recall information more effectively and efficiently because they are interacting with it[i]. Tech-assisted lessons also teach students basic information concerning a broad range of computer software, and allows them to perform higher level tasks than simple, teacher-directed courses. However, these technical skills will only remain and be useful if computer simulations and instructional learning systems are integrated into daily curriculum. Sites like Edmodo, MathisFun, and Khanacademy are also widely recognized to improve student literacy rates and mathematical skills.
The Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology has exposed some profound patterns; findings show that technology improves performance, positive attitudes, motivation, and creates meaningful learning. Eighth graders performed significantly better on mathematics tests when computer technology was used for real-world simulations and applications purposes, as opposed to drill-and-practice purposes. In addition to superior performance on standardized tests, interactive video programs demonstrated an increase in problem-solving skills. This was proven by students across nine states that used Jasper video software.
By integrating technology into academic fields, students, teachers and parents will see substantial enhancements in a variety of essential categories, including academic performance, motivation, critical thinking skills, literacy, attitude and real life work skills.
Ultimately, technology is capable of improving a student’s capabilities and utterly hindering them. It is up to each individual teenager to choose what route they will take. As technology continues to expand, teenagers will grow right alongside it. Proper utilization of these complex, yet simple-to-use tools can motivate students to voluntarily pay attention and have fun while they learn. Abuse of the internet and various other media can lead to obesity, a drop in literacy rates, and a deformed perception. The next century will surely be fascinating as society implements technology into more and more aspects of daily routine.