The Information Age
People tend to think of today’s youth as being lazy and
uninvolved with political issues. A large reason for this is because we live in
the “information age,” also known as the “computer age.” Today’s society runs
heavily on the use of technology. It seems nearly impossible to imagine a
lifestyle that does not include technology. There are constantly new gadgets
coming out, from Ipads to glasses-free 3D televisions. Therefore, when people
of the older generations always see these crazy new technological advances, it
is natural for them to assume that this is all that is on the mind of today’s
youth. But has there truly been a shift of values causing teenagers to no
longer care about social issues over the past few decades, or do youth today
simply express similar values in different ways than that of the past? Upon
researching new inventions of the 1980’s, it appears that many of the gadgets
that today’s youth are slammed for wasting their time on actually originated in
the 1980’s. Some examples of this are video games, cell phones, and home
computers.
uninvolved with political issues. A large reason for this is because we live in
the “information age,” also known as the “computer age.” Today’s society runs
heavily on the use of technology. It seems nearly impossible to imagine a
lifestyle that does not include technology. There are constantly new gadgets
coming out, from Ipads to glasses-free 3D televisions. Therefore, when people
of the older generations always see these crazy new technological advances, it
is natural for them to assume that this is all that is on the mind of today’s
youth. But has there truly been a shift of values causing teenagers to no
longer care about social issues over the past few decades, or do youth today
simply express similar values in different ways than that of the past? Upon
researching new inventions of the 1980’s, it appears that many of the gadgets
that today’s youth are slammed for wasting their time on actually originated in
the 1980’s. Some examples of this are video games, cell phones, and home
computers.
Video games
Video games are one way youth today, particularly males, enjoy
spending their time. Video game usage is always being targeted as a cause
for youth violence because many studies have shown a positive correlation
between video games and violence (Sohn). Mass Effect 3 and Call of Duty were the
best-selling video games in 2012 and both contain high levels of violence.
Video games are certainly not new technology, with video games dating as far
back as the 1940’s. Video games gained popularity in the 1970’s and 1980’s when
the golden age of video arcade games began. Although video games were extremely
popular in the 1970’s and 1980’ just like they are now, the types of games are
significantly different. Some of the most popular games were Space Invaders,
Asteroids, Galaxia, Donkey Kong, and Pac Man. These games were all very family
friendly in comparison to the increasingly violent video games today. Youth like
these violent games because the games make them feel powerful. Teenagers today
deal with a lot of stress from societal pressures and may go to their video
games to feel like they are still in control.
spending their time. Video game usage is always being targeted as a cause
for youth violence because many studies have shown a positive correlation
between video games and violence (Sohn). Mass Effect 3 and Call of Duty were the
best-selling video games in 2012 and both contain high levels of violence.
Video games are certainly not new technology, with video games dating as far
back as the 1940’s. Video games gained popularity in the 1970’s and 1980’s when
the golden age of video arcade games began. Although video games were extremely
popular in the 1970’s and 1980’ just like they are now, the types of games are
significantly different. Some of the most popular games were Space Invaders,
Asteroids, Galaxia, Donkey Kong, and Pac Man. These games were all very family
friendly in comparison to the increasingly violent video games today. Youth like
these violent games because the games make them feel powerful. Teenagers today
deal with a lot of stress from societal pressures and may go to their video
games to feel like they are still in control.
Personal Computers
Another complaint about youth today is that they are always on
their computers. The 1980’s started the popularity of personal computer use. The
IBM personal computer was invented in 1981 by Thomas Watson. This was followed
by the first Apple Macintosh computer, designed by Steve Jobs, released in 1984.
Personal computers of the 1980’s appealed to the youth because they could use
the internet and make designs using the paint feature. This seems to have
spiraled into the youth obsession with internet use today. Today’s addiction
with computers comes from the need to social network on websites such as
“twitter” and “facebook.” These web pages display nearly all aspects of a
person’s life all on a computer screen. Users can write “about me” sections
describing themselves, post pictures, connect with friends, and even post
status updates describing what is on their minds. Much of youth today will
spend hours daily on these websites because they do not want to feel like they
are missing out. Social networking plays a huge role in the way youth
communicates and spreads information. If someone does not log on to their
facebook or twitter account for a couple days, they may feel like they are not
up to date on their friends lives or what is going on in the world around
them.
their computers. The 1980’s started the popularity of personal computer use. The
IBM personal computer was invented in 1981 by Thomas Watson. This was followed
by the first Apple Macintosh computer, designed by Steve Jobs, released in 1984.
Personal computers of the 1980’s appealed to the youth because they could use
the internet and make designs using the paint feature. This seems to have
spiraled into the youth obsession with internet use today. Today’s addiction
with computers comes from the need to social network on websites such as
“twitter” and “facebook.” These web pages display nearly all aspects of a
person’s life all on a computer screen. Users can write “about me” sections
describing themselves, post pictures, connect with friends, and even post
status updates describing what is on their minds. Much of youth today will
spend hours daily on these websites because they do not want to feel like they
are missing out. Social networking plays a huge role in the way youth
communicates and spreads information. If someone does not log on to their
facebook or twitter account for a couple days, they may feel like they are not
up to date on their friends lives or what is going on in the world around
them.
Digital Cell Phones
People also complain that youth today are always on their cell
phones. The first digital cell phones came out in 1988 and were used to call
people on the go. However, youth today are more fascinated with the text
messaging, often called “texting,” on cell phones than with making phone calls
on them. Cell phones have basically become mini computers these days, with features
like internet, games, and texting.Texting came out in 1993 but did not become popular until the 2000’s.
So what’s with youth’s obsession with texting? First of all, it is a
convenience. When a friend calls you on the phone, you may feel obligated to
chat with them for a while longer than you actually want to. However, texting
avoids this problem. Messages can be significantly faster and more to the point
than telephone calls. People can send and receive text messages at their
convenience rather than being trapped into an unwanted conversation. Another reason
youth today loves texting is that it provides a way for people to talk about subjects they
may feel less comfortable discussing in person or over the telephone. Many even use texting as
a way to get to know potential love interests because it allows them to ask
personal questions more openly.
phones. The first digital cell phones came out in 1988 and were used to call
people on the go. However, youth today are more fascinated with the text
messaging, often called “texting,” on cell phones than with making phone calls
on them. Cell phones have basically become mini computers these days, with features
like internet, games, and texting.Texting came out in 1993 but did not become popular until the 2000’s.
So what’s with youth’s obsession with texting? First of all, it is a
convenience. When a friend calls you on the phone, you may feel obligated to
chat with them for a while longer than you actually want to. However, texting
avoids this problem. Messages can be significantly faster and more to the point
than telephone calls. People can send and receive text messages at their
convenience rather than being trapped into an unwanted conversation. Another reason
youth today loves texting is that it provides a way for people to talk about subjects they
may feel less comfortable discussing in person or over the telephone. Many even use texting as
a way to get to know potential love interests because it allows them to ask
personal questions more openly.
Technology's Effect on Youth Values
Many of today’s technological obsessions originated in the
1980’s and we just keep continuing to advance these technologies as we gain more
and more knowledge on how to do so. All of this technology may be viewed
negatively by some on the effects of youth. However, it can also be looked on as
a benefit to our society. Youth has become very involved in social issues
through the use of facebook and twitter. Months before an election people have
the availability to read other’s opinions on both candidates, news articles
would constantly be posted with information to read up on, as well as online
videos about the upcoming election. It is inaccurate to say that today’s youth
do not care about the issues. Youth’s set of values are simply expressed in
different way than they were in the past.
1980’s and we just keep continuing to advance these technologies as we gain more
and more knowledge on how to do so. All of this technology may be viewed
negatively by some on the effects of youth. However, it can also be looked on as
a benefit to our society. Youth has become very involved in social issues
through the use of facebook and twitter. Months before an election people have
the availability to read other’s opinions on both candidates, news articles
would constantly be posted with information to read up on, as well as online
videos about the upcoming election. It is inaccurate to say that today’s youth
do not care about the issues. Youth’s set of values are simply expressed in
different way than they were in the past.