Have control over the use of Technology; be advanced but be responsible.
-Article written by Selah Terwilliger
The
technology in the current generation is in a continuous growth. It
has come to a point where people have started relying on a handheld
device to assist with everyday tasks. Some may even find it difficult
and impossible to run day to day errands without the help of these
gadgets. Some careers cannot even run without the use of the
technology that is available today. From the first technology growth
during the 1990’s, the growth seems to be consistent and seems to
ascend exponentially (Berliner)(Barton). Though this can be good for
the everyday lifestyle of all Americans, it becomes the root of
laziness and increased dependency on technology; therefore, molding
people to be less self-reliant and can potentially leave them
vulnerable.
From
the morning alarm clock, to a midday to-do note reminder, and the
nightly email alerts; smart phones and tablets have become the best
friend of the people in the 21st
century. According to Ryan Barton, President of Mainstay technology,
“[Current] Technology’s exponential growth rate means we are now
accomplishing in one year what took centuries in Ancient
Century”(Barton). He further explains how the small communication
device that is presently called the “smartphone” is a better
communication tool for the president than what he would typically use
to reach the mass public just twenty-five years ago. Barton also
explains how the president has more access to any database he may
need now compared to what was the typical tool just ten years ago
(Barton). All databases can easily be accessed through a simple
search. This may be efficient, but what if a certain individual were
the reason of that search? What if everything that one may do is
recorded on a digital device and posted somewhere that can easily be
found? As Nora Campos explains in an article in Mercury News, she
explained how to welcome new technology with open arms but also need
to approach it with caution and with “necessary safeguards to our
privacy”. Campos spoke about the new technology called Google
Glasses, where people wore them in order to video record or take
pictures without many people noticing. She explains how Congress
fears that Google needs to write more policies regarding privacy
protection in order to guide new users of this technology with future
privacy concerns
(Campos). She continues by stating, “In
an era of drones and NSA eavesdropping, not to mention identity
thefts and data breaches, people are understandably wary about where
all this is head”, Campos explains how it is now currently
understood by most on where these new innovations with technology
will eventually bring this society to(Campos). With the exponential
growth of technology, this will soon bring situations that may breach
the already little privacy that Americans have.
A
study presented by New York Times stated that the average kid within
the age range from 8 to 18 spends 7 and a half hours a day or more
using different devices such as television, IPod, internet and video
games (psu.edu-Lewis). According to Penn State, these statistical
data is a sign of where the society is heading to. Penn State
University also points out that there is a positive correlation with
hours that children spend with technology and failing grades,
obesity, and impatience (psu.edu).
A
study done in 2004 by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
states that sixteen percent of children in the age range of six to
nineteen years of age are obese (psu.edu/cdc.gov). They concluded
that the number of obese children has tripled since the year
nineteen-eighty. They concluded that the increased number of these
children whom are overweight is due to the increased amount of
electronic or technology use. After television and video games were
introduced, more and more children chose to sit at home instead of
being active causing this direct correlation with technology and
obesity.
Dr. Rosen, a professor
at a California State University, performed a study that illustrated
that teenagers from ages sixteen to eighteen years old typically
performs seven tasks as once. A teen can be watching television,
texting, listening to music, chatting on Facebook, while doing their
homework. Dr. Rosen claims that this is why many children have
trouble focusing on their schoolwork. It is usually because their
attention is typically divided into multiple activities. Vickey
Rideout, vice president of The Kaiser Foundation states, “I
worry that young people won’t be able to summon the capacity to
focus and concentrate when they need to,” explaining
her concerns for the young people of this generation
(psu.edu/abcnews).
New
York Times wrote an article discussing how kids have very little
patience for anything that is not instantaneous. Children in this era
expect answers almost immediately and expect these answers handed to
them. This generations youths rely on the internet as guidance as
well as a solution to any situation they may encounter (psu.edu). The
over reliance on technology such as so, can promote impatience and
violence through anxiety not only with youths, but also to adults
that allow technology to be the main focal point of their life.
Simple things such as frustration over the dysfunction of the
internet or trouble with the email provider going under-maintenance
should not cease the norm.
Technology has helped
Americans figure out the world in an easier way. The electronic world
have calculators that understand equations in a shorter period of
time where otherwise, it would take several hours to compute. The
programs that are available for computers allow many professions such
as architects, to be able to handle all work with their laptop. For
those professions it can be helpful and efficient, but it is arguable
that this practice may eventually lead to vulnerability. The loss of
skill can occur and impatience may develop because most tend to
experience laziness after being exposed to a program that can do it
all for them. Handheld devices allow many to send messages in a
single click rather than waiting a few days for the mail man to come
around. This may be easy, but many may protest that it promotes
laziness among the upcoming generation. There are positive things
that technology has done for the general public and it is ok to take
full advantage of the artificial intelligence that the human race has
put together, but the over reliance should not happen. As responsible
citizens, it is necessary to understand the responsibility that comes
with technology. Just like everything else, too much of something
will have consequences. In this case, the practice of using
technology only when necessary and in moderation is a needed call to
action. With this, Americans will benefit from the best and newest
technology but will also be able to take control of it and not let
allow electronics and technology to affect the proper way of life.
Work Cited
Barton, Ryan.
"Technology's Explosion: The exponential growth rate - Mainstay
Technologies." IT
Services & Support Company in NH, Network, Computer &
Technical Management - Mainstay Technologies.
Mainstay Technology, 22 Jan. 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.mstech.com/nh-it-blog.php?show=171>.
Berliner, Uri. "Back
To The Economy Of The '90s? Not So Fast : NPR." NPR
: National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music &
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National Public Radio, 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.npr.org/2012/12/25/167970805/back-to-the-economy-of-the-90s-not-so-fast>.
Campos, Nora. "Privacy:
Google Glass and other technology bring new concern." San
Jose Mercury News: Opinion.
The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2013. Web. 9 Oct. 2013.
<www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_23853319/privacy-google-glasses-and-other-technology-bring-new>.
Negative
Effects of Technology on Children." Negative
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Penn State University, 21 Mar. 2010. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
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