I'm sure you've heard about it. According to many enlightened people, it is a devil of sorts, luring good children away from their honest toil. Many of these same experts claim that children have no power to resist, that if only the demon were exorcised, the children would obediently finish their pre-calculus homework to qualify for a university specializing in the humanities.
The so-called devil I am referring to is technology: Facebook, Youtube, texting, and video games. They have replaced television as the bane of parents and teachers, and moreover, have become the scapegoat of the new age. Why accept responsibility for failing your classes when you could blame the faceless behemoth that is the Internet? What these kids don't seem to realize is that in shifting the blame from themselves to their hobbies, they are increasing the likelihood that said activities will increasingly be banned or otherwise prohibited.
Cellphones are a perfect example of this. At the high school I attended, cell phones were outright banned, even during break periods. Such zero-tolerance policies are reflective of misplaced blame and fear. Johnny would have completed his essay if it were not for his cellphone. Susie would have earned a higher grade point average if it were not for Facebook. And of course, neither Johnny nor Susie can be blamed for their lack of adequacy; it's not as though they possess free will.
If one is to believe the accusations set forth by many a parent and teacher, then it can only be deduced that technology is no less addicting than smack. One hit, one Youtube video, and your kid will be addicted for life. You see, like drugs, technology rewires the brain. Yes, once a child has been exposed to multi-tasking, never can they acquire the skill to focus. A perfect analogy for this is a morality meter. As technology tempts children toward evil, they inevitably become less good. Moreover, it is impossible to balance the two skills; it's either God or Satan, and the child is helpless to choose.
Of course, one does not have to believe the frantic cries that the sky is falling and that the innocent children will side with Satan during Armageddon. The alternative conclusion is obviously that kids are responsible, at least in part. But why not totally responsible, at least in certain instances? Rather than blaming technology, I'd take a long hard look at the schoolwork.
Algebra II is absolutely essential, you will apply it everyday for the rest of your life! Or so says the Algebra II teacher. Let us be honest with ourselves: certain classes are not necessary. An art major will not need higher math. A science major will not need art. What is necessary? I'd say a certain level of math, maybe algebra, English, and a little history and science. Of course kids should be exposed to the whole spectrum, but by high school, and especially college, shouldn't they be allowed to specialize? Wouldn't it be a better use of resources if kids were placed in classes in which they would actually have the will to apply themselves?
That last paragraph is just a bit of speculation on my part. The main point remains: taking responsibility for one's actions is an important lesson, and adults and kids alike are skipping out on it. Moreover, if we are to blame something other than the people themselves (and mostly, we shouldn't), then why must the harbinger of doom be technology? Why not the emphasis on being well-rounded, forcing kids to take classes in which they've never displayed any interest? Why not the lack of emphasis on obligations? At the end of the day, people need to sit down, focus, and engage in a bit of divergent thinking; there might just be another possibility.
tl;dr: The kids are all right, but I don't appreciate them blaming technology for their incompetence, nor do I approve of their parents condoning this gross irresponsibility.
Here [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/technology/21brain.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp] is the inspiration for the above rambling.
The so-called devil I am referring to is technology: Facebook, Youtube, texting, and video games. They have replaced television as the bane of parents and teachers, and moreover, have become the scapegoat of the new age. Why accept responsibility for failing your classes when you could blame the faceless behemoth that is the Internet? What these kids don't seem to realize is that in shifting the blame from themselves to their hobbies, they are increasing the likelihood that said activities will increasingly be banned or otherwise prohibited.
Cellphones are a perfect example of this. At the high school I attended, cell phones were outright banned, even during break periods. Such zero-tolerance policies are reflective of misplaced blame and fear. Johnny would have completed his essay if it were not for his cellphone. Susie would have earned a higher grade point average if it were not for Facebook. And of course, neither Johnny nor Susie can be blamed for their lack of adequacy; it's not as though they possess free will.
If one is to believe the accusations set forth by many a parent and teacher, then it can only be deduced that technology is no less addicting than smack. One hit, one Youtube video, and your kid will be addicted for life. You see, like drugs, technology rewires the brain. Yes, once a child has been exposed to multi-tasking, never can they acquire the skill to focus. A perfect analogy for this is a morality meter. As technology tempts children toward evil, they inevitably become less good. Moreover, it is impossible to balance the two skills; it's either God or Satan, and the child is helpless to choose.
Of course, one does not have to believe the frantic cries that the sky is falling and that the innocent children will side with Satan during Armageddon. The alternative conclusion is obviously that kids are responsible, at least in part. But why not totally responsible, at least in certain instances? Rather than blaming technology, I'd take a long hard look at the schoolwork.
Algebra II is absolutely essential, you will apply it everyday for the rest of your life! Or so says the Algebra II teacher. Let us be honest with ourselves: certain classes are not necessary. An art major will not need higher math. A science major will not need art. What is necessary? I'd say a certain level of math, maybe algebra, English, and a little history and science. Of course kids should be exposed to the whole spectrum, but by high school, and especially college, shouldn't they be allowed to specialize? Wouldn't it be a better use of resources if kids were placed in classes in which they would actually have the will to apply themselves?
That last paragraph is just a bit of speculation on my part. The main point remains: taking responsibility for one's actions is an important lesson, and adults and kids alike are skipping out on it. Moreover, if we are to blame something other than the people themselves (and mostly, we shouldn't), then why must the harbinger of doom be technology? Why not the emphasis on being well-rounded, forcing kids to take classes in which they've never displayed any interest? Why not the lack of emphasis on obligations? At the end of the day, people need to sit down, focus, and engage in a bit of divergent thinking; there might just be another possibility.
tl;dr: The kids are all right, but I don't appreciate them blaming technology for their incompetence, nor do I approve of their parents condoning this gross irresponsibility.
Here [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/technology/21brain.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp] is the inspiration for the above rambling.
