A century ago, smartphones were barely surfacing, most people either had basic mobile phones, or no phone at all. Today, kids have smartphones just like the rest of us. Kids that are in 3rd and 4th grade have some type of mobile phone, and older kids in 6th, 7th and 8th grades now have iPhones and consider it normal. While its true that technology has boomed incredibly, making every product cheaper and better, it does not justify the fact that kids now have access to all the information and more than most of us did, as young children a century ago.
While there are many concerns regarding smartphones in the middle school stage, one major aspect is that fact of social media. While social media can be contained, anyone has the possibility and opportunity to induce themselves in that type of platform and information. While social media has its benefits, it definitely has its problems. Among those problems include, the notion the world sets on types of life obstacles. These obstacles include, politics, self-image, and capitalism in general. Social Media, shows people things like what to look like, what and who to vote for, and what should be considered right and wrong. For example, on the popular page on Instagram, pictures of workout posts, or political statements, which many kids should not be concerned with or even aware of are visible to anyone. On top of that, kids will become less and less socially interactive as they get older, if all they know is communication through a screen. However, mostly for kids around the age of 10 or 11 to be viewing these types of topics, seems to be a little too early and too young to truly understand and grasp. Instead of kids making their own opinions about these issues like body image and such, kids are finding answers through their view of social media.
The things that flow throughout the Internet are endless. There are billions of websites and steaming opportunities and search engines for any purpose at all. This is of course a beautiful thing, but can be seen as an evil thing as well. For adults, technology became prevalent after their direct childhood, but today, kids have a different relationship with technology and the Internet. I see kids streaming Instagram looking at boys or girls they find attractive at any hour of the day. This is surprising and honestly kind of gross, to begin with. Kids do not have to be dealing with looking hot when they are in 6th grade, or younger, and shouldn’t have to be. Kids are growing up faster and faster each day because of this social media atmosphere and influence. Technology has done great things for the world but just like other controversial issues, there is always a down side. Kids should not be searching for things they do not need to see, and learning things they are not ready to know. While there’s no way to change the current effect of technology, there is a way to limit it, especially when it comes to our children.
