Are Computers And Cell Phones Ruining Our Children?

As someone who has grown up touching the generations you speak of, I’d say that Stevie is right on the money.

Children today are overweight, near-sighted, lacking in physical skills, and unable to collate enough words to make a compound sentence without Googling for help. I have observed this first hand as I am returning to college, to finish a degree program left incomplete from long ago. The lack of social courtesy is truly amazing, and I wonder who was the model for the behavior of this generation. The Who shouted out “I hope I die before I get old” and perhaps it was because of a glimpse at the breakdown of proper society.

But no one can say anything about their small motor skills. Yes, their hands and fingers are more deft than anyone in my generation, because instead of wielding a bat to hit a moving baseball, this generation has grown up wielding a mighty set of thumbs for texting about things that were never of any importance before the year 2000. Their fingers are so accurate on the buttons of a game pad for an Xbox, or PS3, that no one over the age of 30 has a chance against the most ordinary of 15 year-olds.

This might be a simple tale of an older person grousing about the world changing around him, but the problem is that the changes happening are ones that make the world a worse place than the one of not too many years ago. Certainly there will be a level of persons that will carry on, in government, business, and technology, but a great many will become a vast underclass, because of the lack of learning, and socialization skills.

As someone who has grown up touching the generations you speak of, I’d say that Stevie is right on the money.

Children today are overweight, near-sighted, lacking in physical skills, and unable to collate enough words to make a compound sentence without Googling for help. I have observed this first hand as I am returning to college, to finish a degree program left incomplete from long ago. The lack of social courtesy is truly amazing, and I wonder who was the model for the behavior of this generation. The Who shouted out “I hope I die before I get old” and perhaps it was because of a glimpse at the breakdown of proper society.

But no one can say anything about their small motor skills. Yes, their hands and fingers are more deft than anyone in my generation, because instead of wielding a bat to hit a moving baseball, this generation has grown up wielding a mighty set of thumbs for texting about things that were never of any importance before the year 2000. Their fingers are so accurate on the buttons of a game pad for an Xbox, or PS3, that no one over the age of 30 has a chance against the most ordinary of 15 year-olds.

This might be a simple tale of an older person grousing about the world changing around him, but the problem is that the changes happening are ones that make the world a worse place than the one of not too many years ago. Certainly there will be a level of persons that will carry on, in government, business, and technology, but a great many will become a vast underclass, because of the lack of learning, and socialization skills.
PS: Wanted to add great post!

[...] Are computers and cell phones ruining our children? [...]

Back in the 16th and 17th century, when books were starting to become popular, everyone was afraid that books were going to take over children’s lives and damage them permanently. Now they say that our children don’t read enough books. The same thing will happen with computers, as soon as the human race moves on, and finds something else to fear.

All is about how parents watch the computer and cell phone use by our children and the time we spend with them in other activities to make them understand that every thing has a time and space.

I’m not sure it’s entirely correct to say that technology is ruining our children. It’s simply changing the game a little bit.

I think the level of social inadequacy has been trimmed due in part to how accessible technology is. With moderation, I think texting, computers, twitter, MySpace, etc. can all be viable tools for people of any age.

The key, however, is moderation. We Americans have found it nearly impossible to draw the line between moderation and overindulgence.

In essence, overindulgence is ruining and has been ruining everyone who lacks the will power to moderate their attention. Not technology, per se, but whatever happens to be the current “fad”.

I believe it´s normal evolution of the human mankind.
as “the oracle” said, fine motor skills and virtual social networking are DEFINITIVELY the future of our society.
I don´t think the new generations are “spoiled”…
they ARE our future.

The search for FAST answers, within the reach of a simple click they have greater concept of “world” than older people.

It´s a normal cycle…maybe in 50 years the trend will be to go back and play with other children in the park..
probably while still connected in the net. ehehe.

I think it’s BS. Computers and cell phones aren’t ruining our children any more or less than tv and atari ruined us when we were children. When parents don’t set an example and rules regarding the food that kids eat, on how much candy and junk food they are allowed and how many veggies they should eat, everyone knows that’s bad parenting. Same thing goes for TV, Computers, cell phones, etc. This is a no brainer.

Computers are a tool. The Internet allows my curious 9 year old to devour all the information he can find about any subject that gets him excited. He knows far more about Greek history and Mythology than I ever did. Why? Because he thinks that’s cool. But when he spends too much time on games, I make him do other things.

Kids don’t go outside enough? That’s partly because we adults are terrified to let them go play at the park alone. And which of us parents wants to sit at the park while our kids play all afternoon? We have other things to do, right?

Don’t blame technology for what parents are responsible for.

[...] Are computers and cell phones ruining our children? [...]

I’d say this is one of the most retarded things everyone keeps bringing up. Computers and Cell Phone don’t do anything to kids, it’s what the kids do. I’m a 14 year old guy becoming 15 this week end and I’m perfectly fit. I exercise daily and I also spend most of my life on games. Online games have increased my social skills more than a lot of working adults I know. I can talk comfortably to strangers better than most people can with their friends. I have 3 best friends that also spend most of their time on the computer and games and they don’t have even one pound of weight they don’t need on their body. And not to mention us 4 are the type of teens that eat…and eat….and eat…..I couldn’t go on enough. I could seriously go on forever on how naive the adults are that say this. I’ve heard people around say, “Why do you hate what you don’t understand?” and the adults can’t respond. This means a few things. Either they really do hate things that they don’t understand, which is being close minded, which is bad. Or they don’t have enough social skill or practice with people to even think about thinking of a response to this question, or they just don’t care to answer a question that the child might already know the answer to. Now I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I stated at the beginning of this statement that I spend most of my time on video games. Now that would mean I’m one of these ‘ruined’ children. Now here’s the tricky part that some naive adults might have their head in a bunch for. I have good punctuation and grammar. See these periods and commas? Now does this look like I don’t get a proper education? I’m fit and strong, in fact I can play most sports better than all the jocks and school, and here I am being a geek, and I get next to perfect grades. So in conclusion, computers and video games and phones do nothing to us. It’s us that do things to us. I’ll bet back when there were no electronics there was a share of unfit people too.

I blame (some) parents for not teaching (some) kids basic manners…

My sister was on our MyFamily.com site talking about her son called from a trip with his class… She said “He must have been on a tour bus because I could hear the tour guide talking” – I would have told him to hang up and learn something!

The computers and cellphones are just tools. It’s up to parents to raise polite kids who participate in the real world and use the tools they have responsibly.

most people blame video games for those kind of things. which is not true

I’m from the bit in between when things slid from playing outside to playing on a computer. So I’ve seen both sides from the perspective of a “ruined” kid. No, it’s not as bad as you all make out, and I bet the adults in all your generations thought stuff was ruining you too. Some kids do suffer as a result of their contact with computers and their lack of communication with the “real world” but that’s a choice, just like it would be a choice if they were running around outside.

Here’s the simple reason why I myself stopped going out and playing in the fields and stuff like adults think we should. It’s not safe. There’s a severe lack of field to go out and play in, there’s more traffic, it’s tough to get across the road (mainly because of inconsiderate parents parking on the area that should be reserved as a crossing for schoolchildren). The roads are busier, and there are more older kids and older teenagers hanging around making the park and the other outside spaces an unpleasant place to be in.

A lot of people fail to see the good side of the technology. Online games, for example, enhance teamwork skills just like ball games do, you have to work with people and you build friendships and alliances that are later useful. The fact that the people you make friends with could be an ocean away seems to make all this bad. I’m nearly old enough to go to university and I still get told to get out of the chair and do something “real”… I think as the world evolves, our perceptions of reality and the nature of children has to change with it. Of course, those who grow up one way will never fully accept a new type of childhood. I look at the new kids coming into school and wonder “how can they not know what a walkman was?” but things are changing, we can’t isolate them from the reality of technology, nor should we.

YEAY

From reading all the above I notice that anyone who has not yet become adicted to the computer world can not tollerate an addictive, and so for the addictive would not admit how much it has taken over his brain and thoughts CAUSe he aint wanna stop.

I thought Senichi’s comment was really true and well said. I would of never thought of all that and i can’t think of anyone who can. Good on ya by!!!

Nicks is right on. Today’s children are living in an unreal world of lighted screens where the printed words and images are taken for “communication” and reality. But they don’t know how to related one and one to flesh and blood folks.
And by the way, rock and roll has been our undoing…it spelled the end of real musical skill, of beauty in art, of grace, and ushered in the age of loud, trashy, vulgar, gracelss noise.
And TV DID become the babysitter for millions. Result? Generations now of dimwitted boobs who think the world is in a lighted box.

i believe that texting is completely out of control.
The obsessive need to text is sickening
and when they dont have the access to text their life then becomes hell.
Im 17 and i cant stand the texting phenomena.
JUST SMOKE WEED and BE FREE.
SRH ALL DAY.

Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. There are times for spending time at the computer, and times for running outside on the grass, getting swetty, falling down and scraping your knee into a bloody pulp while getting some moist soil full of microbes shoved up your nose! I am 56 years old and I spend a great amount of time on my laptop. As for the latter part, I do that with my grand daugter. I grew up on THE DOORS and Jimmy Hendrix. Now I am learning to play the viola and learning a great deal about music theory and classical music. To help me learn I watch and listen to youtube all the time and use tutorials on the NET.

I’m 13 and I think computers are the best….. if you can’t be bothered doing anything, you just get on the computer….oh and I’m sitting next to Steven XD

I think it depends.I have a cellphone and yet I barely use it.So I’m saying that if you have control over it ,it won’t rule your life.Even computers are SOMETIMES controling but all you need isw control.

I think Senichi makes the point quite well by claiming to have good grammar. Maybe I am wrong but I do not think the following is a sign of good grammar.
“And not to mention us 4 are the type of teens that eat…and eat….and eat…..I couldn’t go on enough.”
Just my opinion. Sure they can program the DVD player but how many of them can cook a meal that doesn’t involve the microwave. I think the information age is producing kids that have less practical knowledge. Perhaps that will not be a problem when we no longer have cars that require tires that can go flat. Or maybe it is not a problem now since with their cell phone they can just call AAA.

While computers are good in moderation they are used too much by todays youth. After a child comes home from their studies they shold be OUTSIDE playing, forming relationships, and even fighting. It is the only way to make our children stronger and to help them get the street smarts that they will need, Oh yeah and I’m not some good 56 year old guy who grew up without computers. I am 20, and just graduated high school 2.5 years ago. Parents need to stop taking their kids to Applebees, and Mcdonalds every night, and instead cook healthy dinners while their children play OUTSIDE and learn to deal with life.