Response to: New York Time's Education section called If Your Kids Are Awake, They’re Probably Online

I just finished reading the article in the New York Time's Education section called If Your Kids Are Awake, They’re Probably Online (site link http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/education/20wired.html).

The article discussed the growing social networking technology usage among kids: texting, video games, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. and how this increase affects their socialization. I think that what technology is doing to our kids is making them better multi-taskers. However, is this really a good thing? Does multi-tasking help or hinder us? Is the human brain capable of juggling five things at once and actually completing them all without error? Think about texting and driving. Research has shown that human beings are incapable of doing both without injuring or killing themselves or others. We just cannot give everything our 100% attention while multi-tasking.

Perhaps I am not thinking broad enough or over generalizing the issue, but I have witnessed kids "studying" while listening to their iPods, signing along, and texting. I understand that I am of a different generation, and thus, will probably never understand or even become as efficient a multi-tasker as our digital natives. However, as a teacher, I have seen the product quality of what kids actually turn in decline more and more over the years. I have also witnessed the growing detachment that kids have toward adults and society. I have witnessed them shrug at human loss, natural disasters, bullying, etc. It is as if they cannot empathize with the world around them or even see themselves as part of the world.

Now, is this just a "natural stage" for the young? Perhaps. Am I turning into my mother? I hope not! I know that teenagers can be very self-centered and can sometimes not see beyond their own realities but what about self-centered adults who cannot empathize either? Can we blame technology? The media? Or our society in general? Perhaps, we have all reach a stage or era called, "The _ell with it!"

I guess my question is how can we use technology to draw kids and adults in toward a community i.e., family, education, social activism, etc.? How can we use technology to help kids become critical thinkers, information literate, and ethical and responsible citizens? How can we bridge the growing gap between kids and adults? Parents and children? Can we bridge this gap with technology? Or, should we turn off all technology and reach out to one another in a more personal way? I understand that for some technology is a way of reaching out to others. However, I do also believe that there needs to be a balance between the human connection and the technological connection.

Sources:

New York Time's Education section called If Your Kids Are Awake, They’re Probably Online (site link http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/education/20wired.html).