In the 21st century, technological colloquialisms such as "lol" and "idk" have become commonplace, even to an extent where people (children and teenagers especially) have begun to use them outside of the cellphone, from which they originated. Technology is truly a great thing. The advancements in electronics has helped the human race do many things that were once deemed impossible. That is undeniable. However, it is argued that technology has doomed the kids of the 21st century. In a day and age when most kids can use an iPhone or computer before they hit puberty, or when they interact with their phones and other electronics more than the world around them, other members of society have begun to speculate that they are leaving the future in the hands of those who are not ready to handle it.
Are these worries worth having? Are they pointless? Morgan Hampton of The Daily Universe, an online newspaper, wrote an article about just that. In her article, she explains how technology has made kids antisocial, which will only hurt them later on in life. Hampton also explains how kids of today do not know how to be social without the use of their electronics. Is she wrong? Let's think about it. How often do you see a group of people together, and all of them are on their phone? Or, how often do you see people using social media to hash out a problem with someone instead of going to the actual person? Though these actions are not a fault of an entire population, in today's world, these types of actions are becoming more frequent.
It is said that interpersonal communication is key to good growth in a human being. A lifestyle in which we interact with one another verbally and physically. While technology has increased connectivity between people, it is argued that it has caused a decrease in interpersonal skills. The ease of sending a text or a snapchat has eliminated some need to go out and converse with people. This may lead to a lifestyle in which people can live in solitude, yet be completely connected with the world. Is this type of life something we are stepping into?
What is the future shaping up to be? Are we destined to a life where our electronics are practically taped to our hands at all times, making it extremely difficult to operate socially? Will we as a people need to learn to put aside our electronics to manage in a world where being social is crucial to existing? No one knows these answers yet. But maybe we should start looking for them.
