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Have We Become too Internet Savvy?

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Have We Become too Internet Savvy?

The gap between generations

from JoeUser Forums
There seems to be a great divide in our technology friendly world. What, you might ask am I talking about now? I’m talking about that chasm that is opening up between my generation (the 30 and over crowd) and Generation “X” and Generation “Now”.

That penchant for our younger folks to just Google anything they want to learn about (and us too). Not too many folks read to obtain information anymore. Mention a word, a phrase or a name it’s off to Googleland to find out any and all information we may need.

While I’m not saying the Internet is bad, not at all! I for one applaud the use of the Internet and what it has done for humankind all over! What worries me is with the “X” and the “Now” generations, when it comes to learning and connecting with the history of any given subject and acquiring and being able to analyze information about a particular subject, they don’t know how to do that.

How do they develop the necessary skills that will teach them how to do research and explore the different methods and ideas on what to do to get the information they need other than going on the Internet? Does anyone remember Microfiche? Or those big ole books called Encyclopedias? Or Microfilm? Or Catalogs?

The other day I gave my son a lesson on how to search for something at the Library. He was shocked to learn that going on the Internet is not the only way to obtain information. The Library has a wide assortment of ways for you to obtain information. They do have computers and Internet access because they have to get with the times, i.e., with what everyone else is doing.

However, before computers there were a Reference section, Catalogs, and Microfiches or Microfilms searches available (although there are no more at least at our branch library). They do have another kind of search too. You can sit at this antiquated computer-looking type machine that has a telephone attached and speak to someone on the other end. You see the person you’re speaking to and they see you!

What I’m trying to get at though is that many students these days are finding the quickest route in doing their assignments. They cut and paste information from the Internet. Never mind that sometimes this may lead to plagiarism but how do they learn about a particular subject if this is all they do? Can they give thorough and accurate information on what they have done? Or correctly list the source of their information without siting a webpage?

What about that thirst for learning and the knowledge gain because of the paper you have to write on any subject that you might be assigned. You become so enrapt by the information that you’ve read about. You analyze and ask questions of your parents, teacher or peers. You learn to develop strategies in putting together a presentation for your teacher and are able to tell the history of what you’re seeking. You learn how to put sentences together to make an essay, to write knowledgeably about a topic. You learn new words, how to spell them and learn what they mean. You learn a lot by using other methods to do your research and not only by using the Internet.

While using the Internet is very helpful and might be a quicker way find what you seek (and there’s nothing wrong with that). However, let’s not forget that there are books out there to be read, information to be analyzed and skills to be learned if we take the time to do it.
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100,507 views 103 replies
Reply #101 from JoeUser Forums Top
Despite the lack of modern amenities, my step-daughter loves going to the farm and really embraces the country lifestyle, so yes, I'm happy that she's not entirely a technology geek who can only be kick started by a computer chip.


That's good. Mine usually adapt too after a few days of being away from their element.


Meanwhile, however, I have been a total hypocrite and have been on the net fairly much since they left 2 days ago....my excuse, the cold weather is playing havoc with my arthritis and I'm in too much pain to do much else. Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it, as we say here in Oz It hasn't been one of my better weeks in that regard, though I have done some of the chores and will go outside shortly to mow the lawn, which desperately needs doing after some wet weather lately.


Ouch, sounds really painful. I can relate because sometimes my hip acts up. Only exercise works to take the pain away. Mowing the law sounds good! I don't miss the cold weather! It's still a balmy 79 degrees where I am and that's a cool day right now!

I think that is the whole point, kids don't have many avenues of escape, and Internet has become the perfect checkout tool. Out of the combined time they spend online, prolly only around 1% is actually spent on processing useful information. The rest is consumed as virtual junk food. I guess we can't blame them if there is not much country or community feel out there in the world. Change the way the society interacts and you will change the ethics of everyone's Internet usage.


True, they get so easily bored you don't know what to do with them sometimes! In our days there were a lot of outside activities to keep us interested. Now I try to have them involved in something and they do sometimes but there's always the good old telephone or PS2 or Gameboy or something else waiting. While I don't have the internet hook up at my home currently, they do get lost in playing those games. They've been begging for me to set up the internet again and believe it or not, I'm going to!
Reply #102 from WinCustomize Forums Top

That's good. Mine usually adapt too after a few days of being away from their element



It takes no time for ours to feel within her element down at the farm....with the variety of animals and several cousins to keep her mind occupied it's: "Phone?" What phone?"


Ouch, sounds really painful. I can relate because sometimes my hip acts up. Only exercise works to take the pain away. Mowing the law sounds good! I don't miss the cold weather! It's still a balmy 79 degrees where I am and that's a cool day right now!


It sure does hurt, and unfortunatly it's not just the one hip...both of mine give me hell, as well as both knees and ankles, both shoulders and elbows. I have some days that are better than others, for which I'm thankful, but even on my better days, too much exercise can aggravate the condition and thus increase the pain. Unfortunately, my doctors advise the best treatment is no treatment, and to continue with anti-inflammarory and pain management medications. Despite the great advances in medicine, the 'saw bones' are not convinced surgery will benifit me greatly and are quite reluctant to operate for fear of greater complications. Oh well, I've learnt to live with it and to extract as much from life as I'm able. the most important thing is that I'm happy, and when I look at my wife, children and grand-children, I'm far from being sad or miserable


I think that is the whole point, kids don't have many avenues of escape


In some ways, I think they have too many escapes, well a heck of alot more than I ever had....and so many use them too often to avoid the realities and responsibilities of the world. It's not that they're bad kids, well no worse than in my day, but it's all electronic, computerised stuff that doesn't even require them to leave their rooms, in some cases, and that's sad when they're missing so much else. I too used to try avoiding reality and scive off at times to muck around in a fantasy world, but fortunately I lived in a country town and getting back to nature was much easier for me ....it was but a stone's throw from my doorstep. My friends and I would venture far (a mile or two)from home and build cubby houses with whatever we could find...and with whatever tools we could 'confiscate' from our none the wiser fathers. They sure were the days, and much of what I did was passed on to my son, who is now a father himself and teaching his children at an early age to love the outdoors and do some interesting stuff in it.

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Reply #103 from JoeUser Forums Top
takes no time for ours to feel within her element down at the farm....with the variety of animals and several cousins to keep her mind occupied it's: "Phone?" What phone?"





Oh well, I've learnt to live with it and to extract as much from life as I'm able. the most important thing is that I'm happy, and when I look at my wife, children and grand-children, I'm far from being sad or miserable


This is good!


They sure were the days, and much of what I did was passed on to my son, who is now a father himself and teaching his children at an early age to love the outdoors and do some interesting stuff in it.


And this is what's important.