The Dangers of being a Digital Native            

Christian Farrell

As a digital native, I have grown up in the digital age. I have never known a time where there wasn’t computers, internet, or even cell phones. There can be many benefits to growing up in the digital age. One of these benefits is the ability to multi-task. Due to our minds being constantly bombarded by technology, digital natives have adapted to be able to focus on multiple things at once. For example, some digital natives are able to listen to music while simultaneously studying for a test. Digital natives are also more aware, and able to receive more information at a time. However, even with these benefits, there are some that believe this surplus of technology is changing us, and not for the better. Some experts believe excessive use of the Internet, cellphones and other technologies can cause people to be more impatient, impulsive, forgetful and even more narcissistic. Its true digital natives tend to spend more time on our technological devices, but is it truly affecting our lives in a mostly negative way? Some studies suggest that excessive dependence on cellphones and the Internet is akin to an addiction. There is a test that can be taken on the internet, ironically, that measures if you are at risk of internet addiction. Among the questions asked are: Do you neglect housework to spend more time online? Are you frequently checking your e-mail? If you answered yes, technology may be consuming more of your life then you think.

               A study done by the University of Melbourne in Australia found that 10 percent of the students posted scores high enough to put them in the at-risk category for internet addiction. However, even though technology is clearly interfering with some student’s lives, it may be going too far to call it an addiction. The concern with spending so much time on the internet is that it can take away time spent with family and friends in the real world. Psychologist Dr. Aboujaoude has another concern with our dependence on the internet. Dr. Aboujaoude is concerned that the vast storage of e-mail on the Internet is preventing many of us from letting go, causing us to retain many old and unnecessary memories at the expense of making new ones. This basically means that we use so much of our brain remembering old pointless things on the internet, that there is no room to retain new real life memories. All these problems also show no signs of slowing down. We no longer live in a world where using technology is just a hobby or a choice. Most jobs include the use of technology and the internet, vastly increasing the amount of time we spend on the internet and using technology. Experts are recommending spending less time on the internet to try and decrease the effects of excessive use. However, it can be very hard to cut down on use of technology and internet. Giving up on technology can make life logistically difficult, and also changes our ability to connect with others. Meaning if everyone is connecting via technology, then you could be left out entirely.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brainside.html?_r=0