Growing up in the '90s and early 2000s had its advantages. We grew with the advances in technology, whereas kids who are currently growing up have technology handed to them. A few weeks ago I was watching my nieces and nephew play and I realized how attached they are to technology. Instead of interacting with each other, they went their separate ways while using their parents' iPhones to watch YouTube videos. Is this really what our generation is coming to?
As a millennial, we had to learn how to make conversation. We had to learn how to use our imagination. We couldn't just Google search how to use a toy, we had to play with it and figure out how it actually worked. Once we got into our "pre-teen era" the razor flip phone was a huge deal and we would lie about our ages on Facebook to gain access. We were there when Ryan Seacrest had to explain over “American Idol” how to send a text.
Technology has its advantages, though. We use it every day without even thinking about it. We can use Facebook to keep in touch with family that lives 1,000 miles away or snapchat our friends that we haven't seen in less than 24 hours. It's absolutely amazing but have we sat down to think about how dramatically it is changing our lives. I use social media way too much. I check Facebook at least twice a day, snapchat my friends throughout the day, and I can't even tell you how often I scroll through Instagram. Social Media is addicting. When I don't check it in a day I feel like something is missing. Why is that? Kids now are revolving their days around watching YouTube videos or playing a game on an iPad instead of playing outside or brushing their doll’s hair.
As great as technology is, I'm afraid that it's ruining the environment for future generations. There are certain parts of technology that I think will really help future generations succeed. Research is much simpler with sources such as google to do the work for you, but interaction and using your imagination are all a part of growing up.
Even though technology is advancing and helping in ways we could never imagine, we need to consider what it is doing to future generations. There are pros and cons to social media and the internet, but we have to remember that kids need to be kids. Sometimes what they need is to run around and play without any electronics and the same goes for adults. As a society, we have become so attached to technology. As a society, we should focus more on what is going on around us and less on our phones.
