Katrina Hayes   

Professor Warren

February 23, 2014

ENC 1102

                                                                       “A Digital World”

“Soon the digital divide will not be between the haves and the haves not. It will be between the know-hows and the non-know hows.”- Howard Rheingold

                As I reflect on the film A Digital Nation, I realize more and more every day that the digital world is quickly taking over many peoples’ lives. While some people may be in denial about digital world taking over, I have witnessed otherwise; I have family and friends who are caught up in the hype. There are pros and cons about the digital experience; some abuse it while other just use it. 

             In today’s society the digital world has an effect on people of all ages. It’s so bad that people are actually losing their jobs and families over it. “Concerning family problems caused by Internet addiction, family relationships are seriously disrupted by Internet addicts due to the decrease in time spending with family, reluctance of performing family duties such as doing household chores, and increase of conflicts with family in the negotiation for time spent on the Internet. “( Shek D., Sun R., Yu L.: Internet Addiction)  I have to admit I did get caught up in the fiasco; I had to get it under control quick. Often times I would find myself always on the phone. Either I was texting, on Facebook and more recently, Instagram. I would spend hours on phone not paying attention at work or school. I remember growing up we did not have all the devices we have access to now such as IPad, IPod, Laptops and IPhone. This generation is so spoiled and don’t even realize it. 

            Children today have everything at their fingertips, all we had growing up were each other and playing outside.  I have a friend whose daughter is only seven years old and he has a cellphone not just any phone but an IPhone. I was shocked when I saw her with that device, I could not believe she actually purchased that expensive kind of phone. I have noticed that more preteen children have cellphones
today, I understand the reason why some parents purchase them but are they using them with good intentions.  I did not get my first cellphone until I was nineteen years  old . My parents were old school
and they were not familiar with the upcoming digital era.  Concern about kids' use of technology is
nothing new; concern over my own child's use of technology is. (Rebecca Jackson CEO of Good
Parent, Inc., psychometrist, author of The Learning Habit (Aug. 2014).  

           While watching the documentary, I saw how some people were addicted to online games.  One lady stated that she quit her job because she wanted to play her game instead of work and that’s sad.  Video games are a common problem to this generation both online and actual video game boxes. I did not receive my first Nintendo system until my senior year of high school, while all my peers had video games I had the great outdoors, my bicycle and my toys. Unlike some parents today my parents made sure I had the experience of being a normal kid and trying to keep me grounded on the important things that life had to offer. I took piano lessons, learned how to play the clarinet where I was the section leader in the band, and playing outside instead of being in house playing video games was the life to me. I had to do those things while living under my parents’ roof and I am grateful for the disciple growing up. It was said during the documentary that, ”Constantly playing video games shrink your brain to think.”  Children should "feel the grass under their feet" rather than play addictive computer games which can  
harm their mental development, a scientist said. (The Telegraph By Nick Collins, Science
Correspondent) I have a teenage nephew who is constantly on his phone or laptop playing video games almost every day for several hours it’s like he is in a zone while playing it. I would call him for hours and he does not answer it’s like his mind is gone. I would ask him to do something and it’s like I never said anything at all. When I saw the fifteen year old kid who dropped from the top part of his class to the bottom within a year, that reminded me of my nephew and I knew it was time to reach out to him about his habit. I knew he was struggling with school because there have been times where my brother had to take his phone and laptop away for a while. He claims he has stopped playing the games as much and he is more focused on his studies. Only time will tell.

        Some will admit that devices have made us lazy. This may be true because it’s more convenient. There are so many apps now, you can even fill out job applications online. There is even Skype, video chat and face time there is no need to talk face to face, just connect to the internet and chat; it’s all at our finger tips. Within fifty years technology has changed and I honestly believe within the next fifty years it will change again. Being a part of the Digital World is not all bad, there is some good in as well. Some people have reconnected with love ones, found love ones and found true love social media sites. Some may think otherwise you just have to be mindful of what you are doing when it comes to the Digital World. One this for sure is the New Age Technology is about to completely take over and I am most definitely ready for the ride.