Here's just one provocative paragraph:
Watching several young teenagers, my nieces, nephews and their friends and their use of online media I’m horrified at what it’s leading to. The sales pitch of lap tops in the schools, of online access was that it was supposed to provide children (and adults) with a hugely expanded source of important information. What I’m seeing is that it is the worst of TV raised to a staggering power.The comments for this post are especially thoughtful and thought-provoking. I would add, also, that I totally agree there has been a decline in many young people's ability to navigate the English language. Not all of them are so hobbled by the vastly impoverished offerings in American elementary schools, however. My school-age grandchildren are wonderful writers and readers (though one says he "hates English,") and they are at the same time highly media-savvy. But they have been exposed from the cradle not only to the best writing in children's stories but also the best in books and magazines their parents have left around in the house.
We had a computer snd internet access in our house very early thanks to my now ex-husband's employer so my kids got savvy early. They also learned that there was responsibility involved and that they were monitored.
ReplyDeleteBoth my ex and I were/are readers so books played a big part in their upbringing, too. I'm noticing that my grands are book-oriented, too.
After letting my neighbor's son use my computer a few times (and having to do a system restore), my eyes were opened as to what some kids are doing who haven't been taught properly. I am not amused.
I have not been able to get a position on this. I think nothing is more normal that clicking repeatedly on the worst of TV to the 17th power in one's teenage years. And I recognize that there may be an actual addictive quality that develops when exposure happens so young.
ReplyDeleteIt is always a balancing act for parents--trying to stem the wayward id and permit development of seemingly fragile intellect and creativity. I--who blushed into the darkness at 50 years old because, at the urging of a physical therapist, I made an effort to actually stand up straight (and thus felt like I was accentuating the line of my breasts, never mind that they were old, there was no one around, and it was pitch black)--have never been good at figuring out where this line is.
Cat