Poll: Digital technology and our youth

[reklawd]

I wonder if people in the past had the same questions about electricity, lightbulb, radio, telephone, automobiles, the electric guitar, television, etc.? IMO the internet and newer technology (smartphones) have had an overall positive impact on society yet we all are still figuring out how to use it appropriately. Having a vast amount of information at our fingertips will make us a smarter society overall. As a millennial, you know how many skills I've been able to teach myself using the internet? - operating a backhoe, building a website, field stripping an AK, building a bridge in my backyard, fixing my dishwasher, managing investments ... the list is unbelievable.

Like anything, proper use and moderation are key. Moderation is what is hard. My kids have a limited amount of screen time and we expose them to a ton of other activities, both indoor and outdoor. I want to keep them well rounded. I'm going to teach them how to use the internet to enhance their lives while understanding it's pitfalls and hangups.

Give all of that, my ideal retirement is to log off the grid and live a much simpler life, maybe on a ranch out west or in the mountains.

 

[reklawd]

I had a relevant conversation the other day with a co-worker and he suggested the internet is making kids 'dumb'. I, in general, hold a fairly dim view of social media for kids so I was interested in his logic. He made a good point I thought. He gave this following example; when we were kids we had to figure stuff out. For example, if we wanted to build a tree house, you got a hammer, some nails, some type of wood, a buddy and you began to figure out how to build it. Made mistakes no doubt and LEARNED what worked and what didn't.
Today, Google/YouTube: "How to build a tree house."

Learning from others past experiences is literally the key to a modern and advanced society. Having an instruction manual for everything means one can do so many more things than we could have in the past.

I built this with no prior experience moving earth and building walls, all from things I learned and acquired by using the internet (plus a few hours of consulting from my father-in-law who is in construction): https://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/threads/big-backyard-project.1683335/

 

[reklawd]

I think that in smart, capable, curious hands the internet is definitely the greatest tool that has been invented (so far).

However, in stupid, average, lazy hands it would be only used for video games and likes on social media.

 

[Lionheart]

Snapchat was invented solely for young teens to hide social media posts from their parents.

It also led to many young people, girls primarily, putting very inappropriate pictures of themselves out there for predators.

I can think of no redeeming feature of this app...it is evil and an attack on the home.

 

[GFB]

I think that in smart, capable, curious hands the internet is definitely the greatest tool that has been invented (so far).

However, in stupid, average, lazy hands it would be only used for video games and likes on social media.

Are average people stupid and lazy?

 

[GaMudd]

Makes them stupid. Can't think and problem solve. If the answer isn't right in front of them, they Google or YouTube it. I realize the convenience of the internet, but I see it in my son when I tell him to think the problem through without using the internet. Life requires thought and problem solving skills. Sometimes the answer just isn't on the internet.

 

[reklawd]

Are average people stupid and lazy?

According to ODT, yes.

 

[GFB]

According to ODT, yes.

I must have missed something. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[reklawd]

Makes them stupid. Can't think and problem solve. If the answer isn't right in front of them, they Google or YouTube it. I realize the convenience of the internet, but I see it in my son when I tell him to think the problem through without using the internet. Life requires thought and problem solving skills. Sometimes the answer just isn't on the internet.

Ha, what's you opinion on long division? Should one be able to do it in their head or is using a calculator a crutch?

 

[jaywalker456]

Add me on snap chat for microtech and gun porn jaywalker456 lmao