It’s obvious that our generation has an addiction to the internet. We always have something negative to say about teenagers being hooked to their phones or computers but never look at the reasons as to why that may be. As I was reading about this subject on one of the Room For Debate articles, one author's research about the problem stood out to me. Danah Boyd reveals how teens are very pressured and restricted by their parents these days and rarely ever get to go out of the house besides for school. She also argues that the amount of homework that teens receive is very excessive, which causes an extreme amount of stress. She points out how in other parts of the world, such as Finland and the Netherlands, “parents don't seem nearly as anxious about technology addiction as Americans” because they barely give out any homework at all.
I know that internet addiction is a problem but we don’t realize that maybe we’ve become so addicted because we use it as a coping mechanism. Adults tell us how we have a problem with how obsessed we are with social media websites and video games but maybe we aren’t the problem. I want to know what you guys think about this subject and if we are to blame for our addiction.
As a teen myself, I completely relate to the situation that as young adults who has grown up to the development of advanced technology, we relieve our stress by distracting ourselves with our phones or computers. Sometimes the amount of homework can really be overwhelming and it can end up to causing stress. I think that our phones and other sorts of gadgets is an easy access for us to cope with the stress. But I also think that we are partially to blame for our addiction to the internet because we can always approach stress differently and find other ways to relieve it besides being on our phones or computers.
ReplyDeleteYes, homework and parenting can definitely cause internet addiction, but what if there is another more simple answer, as in, maybe people are addicted to the internet just for its sheer entertainment value and easy accessibility. It can be accessed with literally the push of a few buttons and has so many websites that people will visit constantly such as YouTube and Instagram for the sole purpose of entertainment. These websites can be very appealing just for that reason alone. I do agree with the fact that heavy workloads and strict parenting can be problems, however, to answer your last question, maybe both us AND our parents are to blame. I don't believe that there is strictly one reason, but a combination of parenting styles, school, easy accessibility, and sheer entertainment value that the internet has to offer that cause internet addiction.
ReplyDeleteIt's unfair to blame our parents and massive amounts of homework as the source of internet addiction. Us as the students and children are also at fault too because it depends on how we react to stress and other problems. It's like when parents say no to going out, one could either cry about it or do something else. Why I'm so easily attracted to social media and such is because like James Brashear said, it is easily accessible with just a few buttons. I don't have to do much and looking at all the pictures with the funny captions is stimulating enough for me to be happy and stress-free for the time being. Seeing as my phone is always in my hand as well it's become habit to look to my phone in times of boredom or stress.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that teenagers are addicted to the internet, but I don't think that school should be the excuse for how attached we are to our phones or computers. As much as I would like to use school as my excuse for constantly being online, I know that I use the Internet mostly for my own entertainment. I also agree with James that one of the major reasons people are addicted to the internet is because it is so accessible.
ReplyDeleteI can admit the I am addicted to my phone, but not for its accessibility. I am addicted because when I am out in a crowded place by myself, I use it as a coping mechanism for my social anxiety. I tired to go one day without my phone and was amazed how much I depend on it. I didn't need it because I wanted to check my Instagram feed, I needed it because when I was in a large social gathering with no one I knew, I would use it to distract myself from everyone that feels like are crowding around me. Yes it may look like I try to make myself look busy so no one talks me, but its exactly what i do so I'm not constantly thinking someone is looking at me or going to try to start a conversation that I don't want. However I am okay if I am with family or friends because with them (and with my phone) I feel comfort in something that is familiar and close compared to my foreign surroundings. For those of you who know psychology, I use my phone for regression purposes, not for entertainment.
ReplyDeleteI know that I can't blame it all on schools and strict parenting for our addiction. I could've gone on much longer about this subject but that probably would have been too long and boring for most of you to continue reading. I was touching on this aspect specifically because Boyd's research on this argument stood out to me and because of the truth behind it. I agree that it's very accessible and yes, we use it simply for our entertainment, which is why someone who is stressed will use it for that same reason too. I know we all have our own reasons as to why we become addicted and that it's up to us to fix it. I just don't think we should be blaming each other for this problem before we know all of the reasons that got us started.
ReplyDeleteYour argument is very valid. It seems our generation is addicted to today's technology. Undeniably, we are. I personally use it after a long, busy day. After completing after-school activities and my homework, I see at as 'me time'. Ten minutes max. I don't see it as a problem because it relaxes me before going to sleep. However, I do believe it would be better for the youth to go out and enjoy life rather than to be stuck at home and doing homework. This way the youth will have a desire to go outside rather than be accustomed to be in their houses dependent on the internet.
ReplyDeleteYour argument is very valid. It seems our generation is addicted to today's technology. Undeniably, we are. I personally use it after a long, busy day. After completing after-school activities and my homework, I see at as 'me time'. Ten minutes max. I don't see it as a problem because it relaxes me before going to sleep. However, I do believe it would be better for the youth to go out and enjoy life rather than to be stuck at home and doing homework. This way the youth will have a desire to go outside rather than be accustomed to be in their houses dependent on the internet.
ReplyDelete