I saw a post recently in which some douchecanoe was once again railing about the negative effects of technology on children. I think about how simple my childhood was; no cell phones, no computer or internet. Hell, we didn’t even have cable in our house until I was nine. Children played outside until dark, and if we wanted to talk to our friends we either phoned them or went to visit them. Yes, what sweet, simple times those were.
Simpler, yes. But also devoid of opportunity, especially for kids like me who grew up in a small town. I had no access to anything outside my local area. For schooling, there was only one choice. When I had problems with bullies my only option was to move away, which I did as soon as I was old enough to get a job. I try to imagine what my life would have been like if I’d had access to online schooling. Sure, there was correspondence school in those days, but what a cumbersome pain in the ass that was – I knew someone who took it and I had no desire to go there.
Then I consider how technology has affected my adult life. In the last fifteen years or so, a brand-new world opened up for me. I went back to school to become part of that world instead of shunning it and shaking my fist at it. Thanks to technology, I have access to tools kids of my generation never did. If not for technology, I would probably still be pecking away at my first manuscript on a manual typewriter. If not for the magic of social media, I would never have met all of my dear friends from around the world. Technology allows me to live in a remote area but still remain connected to the rest of the world. It makes the rest of the world accessible, brings us closer and allows us to become part of the lives of people we never would have met otherwise. We share our joys and sorrows the same way we would if we were friends in person. I’m grateful for the changes technology has brought, and look forward to what tomorrow brings.
Simpler, yes. But also devoid of opportunity, especially for kids like me who grew up in a small town. I had no access to anything outside my local area. For schooling, there was only one choice. When I had problems with bullies my only option was to move away, which I did as soon as I was old enough to get a job. I try to imagine what my life would have been like if I’d had access to online schooling. Sure, there was correspondence school in those days, but what a cumbersome pain in the ass that was – I knew someone who took it and I had no desire to go there.
Then I consider how technology has affected my adult life. In the last fifteen years or so, a brand-new world opened up for me. I went back to school to become part of that world instead of shunning it and shaking my fist at it. Thanks to technology, I have access to tools kids of my generation never did. If not for technology, I would probably still be pecking away at my first manuscript on a manual typewriter. If not for the magic of social media, I would never have met all of my dear friends from around the world. Technology allows me to live in a remote area but still remain connected to the rest of the world. It makes the rest of the world accessible, brings us closer and allows us to become part of the lives of people we never would have met otherwise. We share our joys and sorrows the same way we would if we were friends in person. I’m grateful for the changes technology has brought, and look forward to what tomorrow brings.