Reading the article "Rewired" by the author, Larry Rosen, (Ph.D.) I can relate to his statement. Technologies such as the internet and mobile devices are teaching tools for todays kids. Tools which should be allowed but only in a structured enviorment. Where the parents enforce ground rules allowing their usage as it is part of this generations social life. Just as our generation had theirs we should allow them theirs just as my brother now allows his daughter to have.
Children today are very knowledgable around technical gadgets. These gadgets have become a way of life for this generation which they now call Gen X. I wonder why? Maybe it's because technology is advancing so rapidly, changing the way we perceive things by touting the newest model or program to help us with our daily lives. Kids want what others have and there parents buy it for them. Everywhere you look there is a kid spending a lot of time with some form of technology. Take for example the new Blackberries with its expanded memory capacity and battery life. A multi use gadget which can take and send pictures through the internet, text, and download information all in a blink of an eye. I believe this to be an essential learning tool as we are always entering into an ever changing landscape for the way we live and work. I don't agree however on their usage; spent sitiing around playing with all these different types of technolgy. Doing so can increase health concerns such as vision problems when one has to look at glaring fine print. The possiblity of obesity is another concern when one has such a sedentary lifstyle. Larry Rosen came up with up formula in his book "Rewired" to allow kids to
Parents must involve themselves and limit the exposure their kids have, they need to structure what, when, where their kids can along with other acvtivities. I dont believe they should take away from them their social life by not allow the usage of technolgy.
My brother Brian, has a daughter who is uses different technologies. My niece Emily, now 14 is now faring better than the prior years. Aboout two years ago she was constantly using on the inernet and her I-Phone. When ever i would stop by she would come out say hello and then disappear . I actually found it amazing how she could spend so much time chatting on the internet as well as the phone . I would go as far to say multitasking because she was also doing her homework. Emily started to slack off in her grades, she was putting on weight do to no activities because she never ventured outside. My brother eventually put his foot down and structured a way for her to use her phone and the internet keep abreast with her friends. He allowed her enough time for her social life after her studies were complete. Her grades have really improved, she is graduated with honors. My brother help structure an enviorment by allowing her to continue her social life as long as she met certain criteria which he laid out.
Technology has advanced us in so many ways and is always moving forward. Children today have to maintain their social lives as we did ours and they should not be prohibited We as parents need to provide direction. As parents we have to structure what , where and when they can use technology.
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