As modern day Americans, we are in grave danger of losing our humanity to technology. Right now we are in the middle of a subtle social revolution due to the rapid emerging of technology. Very few people truly think about how drastic our society has changed in the past fifteen years, but these advancements have created a new social reality. Technology can be used to enhance our world and our minds, but most use it for the wrong reasons. We use it to satisfy singular, temporary desires and it makes us feel a false sense of independence. Instead it makes us dependent on the very devices that cripple us. It interferes with our socialization, creativity, and empathy among other things. In this day and age everyone is attached to his or her devices and coveting the next new advancement, but how do these technologies affect us as individuals and as a society? Technology has largely affected American youths.
…show more content…
Everyone has seen the withdrawn teenager with music blasting from his or her earbuds, the one who cannot stop looking at a cell phone, or the one addicted to video games. The younger generation is almost always absorbed by technology, constant communication, and instant gratification brought on by devices. According to a survey done by the National Consumers League in 2010, 56 percent of children aged eight to twelve have their own cell phone. That number is guaranteed to have risen since the study was done. Nearly all of American youth uses cell phones, gaming systems, computers, and tablets to “stay connected” but in reality it can make them shy away from face-to-face interaction and withdraw from the real world. This is not the only way children are negatively affected by technology. Two very important human traits are the abilities to communicate and empathize. When children are young they learn how to use language, read facial expressions, and listen for tone of voice, allowing them to successfully communicate for the remainder of their lives. They also learn how to understand what others are feeling and how they would feel if they were a similar position. These skills teach youth how to form and maintain meaningful relationships. Technology stands in the way of this. Technology can put up a wall between young people and their peers hindering their social growth. Another issue posed by technology is the exposure of children to violent media and video games at a young age. This can make them numb to the pain of others. If children do not understand the pain of others, how will they act as teenagers and adults? Constantly having technology at our fingertips allows us to avoid being with our own thoughts when we are alone. How can we lead happy, successful, fulfilling lives if we never truly know ourselves? When are never alone with our thoughts, not only are we desensitized to other people we are desensitized to ourselves. Avoiding our own thoughts can be detrimental to our ability to cope with events of everyday life, never mind occasional serious situations life throws at you. Another side effect of our society’s addiction to technology is our inability to give our undivided attention to social gatherings. Many people cannot have one whole conversation without pausing to look down at their phone. According to a study done by the Pew Research Center, “89 percent
Everyone has seen the withdrawn teenager with music blasting from his or her earbuds, the one who cannot stop looking at a cell phone, or the one addicted to video games. The younger generation is almost always absorbed by technology, constant communication, and instant gratification brought on by devices. According to a survey done by the National Consumers League in 2010, 56 percent of children aged eight to twelve have their own cell phone. That number is guaranteed to have risen since the study was done. Nearly all of American youth uses cell phones, gaming systems, computers, and tablets to “stay connected” but in reality it can make them shy away from face-to-face interaction and withdraw from the real world. This is not the only way children are negatively affected by technology. Two very important human traits are the abilities to communicate and empathize. When children are young they learn how to use language, read facial expressions, and listen for tone of voice, allowing them to successfully communicate for the remainder of their lives. They also learn how to understand what others are feeling and how they would feel if they were a similar position. These skills teach youth how to form and maintain meaningful relationships. Technology stands in the way of this. Technology can put up a wall between young people and their peers hindering their social growth. Another issue posed by technology is the exposure of children to violent media and video games at a young age. This can make them numb to the pain of others. If children do not understand the pain of others, how will they act as teenagers and adults? Constantly having technology at our fingertips allows us to avoid being with our own thoughts when we are alone. How can we lead happy, successful, fulfilling lives if we never truly know ourselves? When are never alone with our thoughts, not only are we desensitized to other people we are desensitized to ourselves. Avoiding our own thoughts can be detrimental to our ability to cope with events of everyday life, never mind occasional serious situations life throws at you. Another side effect of our society’s addiction to technology is our inability to give our undivided attention to social gatherings. Many people cannot have one whole conversation without pausing to look down at their phone. According to a study done by the Pew Research Center, “89 percent