Ryan Sandarage 10/7/2012
ENG3U
Computers and Smartphones: Beneficial or Detrimental?
Have you ever sat in class waiting for your friend to reply to your text message? Have you ever sat in front of your computer on Facebook chatting with friends with a major assignment due the next day? Many teenagers including myself would respond “yes” to either or both of the questions. These are prime examples of the constant struggle caused by teenager’s over-dependence on their computers and mobile devices. This dependency for using these devices is taking control over the lives of teens.
Teenager’s dependence for their computers and mobile devices is comparable to an essential need. Although we don’t need these devices for our basic survival we use and treat them as if we do. Many would argue that these devices provide many benefits and allows teens to accomplish more, and to be quite frank, they do have many potential benefits. However, teenagers have exploited such potential benefits and have become dependent on them. A study from 2009 showed that the average teenager spent just over 1½ hours texting on cellphones alone. Additionally, teens on average spent approximately 1½ hours on the computer, and only 16 minutes of which was for doing schoolwork. The remaining time was dedicated to tasks like using social networking, YouTube, and other activities. Are these statistics concerning? Yes, because together these activities amount to approximately 21 hours per week, which exemplifies the fact that teenagers are dependent on these devices.
The Essay on Teenagers play computer games too much
In modern society, it is very common playing computer games. Even though computer games are common in our life, they have not only good effects, but also bad effects, especially to teenagers. Moreover, even though parents know that teenagers play computer games too much, they do not know that why teenagers are widely excited at computer games, and what the bad effects of computer games are. There ...
This dependency is influencing many aspects of a teenager’s life, most especially in academics. Teenagers’ dependence of computers and mobile devices can be attributed with poor performances at school and lower quality of work being produced due to the distractions these devices create. These distractions are happening within school and at home, whether it is texting a friend in class or multitasking between social networking and assignments.
I can vividly remember the consequences that these distractions can cause. One evening during the first semester of grade 10 I had a major assignment due the following day and a unit test to study for. I spent much of my time messaging friends on the computer thinking that I would be able to multitask between my schoolwork and the messaging. That didn’t turn out so well because by the time I realized it was 10:00p.m. and that I had very little done. I was in a mad scramble to complete what I had yet to start. By the time I finished it was 1:00a.m. and I ended up doing poorly on the assignment and test.
I’m not the only teenager to suffer the consequences of these devices on academics. A study by Reynol Junco, and Sheila R. Cotter revealed that 57% of students sampled said that instant messaging (Windows Live Messenger, Facebook chat, texting, etc.) had detrimental effect on their academic performance. This is an example of another startling statistic showing that teenagers are being taken over by these devices and the implications it has.
Our reliance for computers and mobile devices has also influenced our overall health. When you think about it since teens are spending a significant amount of time on these devices they are much less likely to be active and get exercise. This lack of exercise has been attributed to higher overweight and obesity problems, which can lead to a whole new slew health problems (e.g. diabetes, high-blood pressure, etc.).
Also, the use of these devices can lead to ocular and neurological problems, an example being that prolonged exposure to these devices can increase likelihood for epileptic seizures and computer vision syndrome.
The Essay on Giving birth control devices to teenagers
Birth control devices have been a highly debatable issue ever since their introduction. When teenagers are involved in the scenario the issue is even more debatable because people believe that providing birth control devices promotes sexual behavior. There are many factors in the world that promote sexual behavior which have been present from even before the invention of birth control. Teenagers ...
Teenage relationships are also suffering, whether it is between friends, peers, and parents. As teens revert to spending more time on computers and mobile devices, it is ruining the face-to-face interpersonal relationship, effectively isolating them from the outside world. Moreover, being on a computer or smartphone takes away from valuable time with family and friends. I know from experience because whenever I was on my computer I missed out on valuable time to be with family and friends.
Currently, many teenagers believe that these devices actually keep people connected enhancing relationships between people. Although it does connect people, it doesn’t enhance relationships. Anything done over a virtual interface lacks the level of interaction and emotion when you compare it to a face-to-face conversation. An example would be substituting words “ROFL” (rolling on the floor laughing) or “LOL” (laugh-out-loud) compared to actual laughter doesn’t have the same emotional value. Using computers and mobile devices to replacing virtual relationships over the physical ones should never happen.
With technology growing rapidly and becoming more widely available, greater responsibility is being placed on today’s teenagers. It comes down to them to decide what the next steps for themselves and their devices should be.
Work Cited:
“Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds.” Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Family Foundation, 20 Jan. 2010. Web. 6 July 2012. <http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/8010_AppendixC_Toplines.pdf>.
Junco, Reynol, and Sheila R. Cotten. “Computers & Education.” Elsevier. Elsevier Ltd., 13 Sept. 2010. Web. 6 July 2012. <http://blog.reyjunco.com/pdf/JuncoCottenMultitaskingCAE2010.pdf>.
Fletcher, Victoria. “Computers and TV Lead to Child Obesity.” Mail Online. Daily Mail, n.d. Web. 08 July 2012. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-177043/Computers-TV-lead-child-obesity.html>.
Oppenheimer, Angeline. “How Staring at a Computer All Day Can Affect Your Eyes.” Helium. Helium, 07 Mar. 2008. Web. 10 July 2012. <http://www.helium.com/items/914383-how-staring-at-a-computer-all-day-can-affect-your-eyes>.
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The Essay on Change in Family Relationships
Significant life events can negatively impact family relationships, since the family is often strained to respond to the changes brought upon by these events. Because of her parents' divorce, the narrator is only able to see her father once per week. This limitation in face-to-face contact strains their relationship. To make things worse, when the narrator turns ten, she is introduced to her “ ...
[ 1 ]. “Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds.” Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Family Foundation, 20 Jan. 2010. Web. 6 July 2012. . page 61.
[ 2 ]. Ibid., page 75.
[ 3 ]. Ibid., page 74.
[ 4 ]. Junco, Reynol, and Sheila R. Cotten. “Computers & Education.” Elsevier. Elsevier Ltd., 13 Sept. 2010. Web. 6 July 2012. .
[ 5 ]. Fletcher, Victoria. “Computers and TV Lead to Child Obesity.” Mail Online. Daily Mail, n.d. Web. 08 July 2012. .
[ 6 ]. Oppenheimer, Angeline. “How Staring at a Computer All Day Can Affect Your Eyes.” Helium. Helium, 07 Mar. 2008. Web. 10 July 2012. .
