csi - technology and youth
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Do youth spend too much time on technology?TRANSCRIPT
The Effect of Technology on YouthEmily BrettGNED 2057
By: Josh MilliganContemporary Social Issues
How Technology Affects Youth
Despite the many advantages of technology, there is ever mounting evidence supporting the negative and harmful effects of technology use by youth.
Problems of Well-being: Overview
http://www.cbc.ca/player/Embedded-Only/News/ID/2439303142/
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Physical
-Sitting disease
-Sleep deprivation
-Carpal tunnel syndrome
-Unknown long term affects
Mental
-Lack of empathy
-Short attention span
-Emotionally distanced
-Communication problems
Related Theories & DefinitionsSymbolic InteractionismA theory that human interaction and communication is facilitated by words, gestures, and other symbols that have acquired conventionalized meanings.
Labelling Theory Is based on the idea that behaviors are deviant only when society labels them as deviant.
Conflict Theory States that social order is maintained by domination, with power in the hands of those with the greatest political, economic, and social resources. Emphasizing the role of coercion and power in producing social order, this perspective is derived from the works of Karl Marx, who saw society as fragmented into groups that compete for social and economic resources.
Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic InteractionismThe language of texting is changing how youth view the world. With all the added benefits that technology offers, it has taken over some of the more simple tasks, which studies are now showing are key in a young persons development.
-Empathy in youth is being significantly lowered due to a decrease in human to human contact,
-Language skills are suffering due to a new “cyber language”,
-Sleep deprivation caused by cell phones and tablets left on during the night are projected to have both LT and ST effects, -Status is being placed on certain technologies creating segregation and bullying in schools, i.e. Apple Products.
Symbolic Interactionism Cont’d…Symbolic interactionism has taken on a new meaning when looking at the language of technology. “Smileys” abbreviations such as “lol”, “omg”, “ttyl”, and a working knowledge of technical language has become common place.
With this, spelling and grammar has declined significantly for without built-in spell check, many youth do not know proper grammar and use poor sentence structure.
Communication continues, however, the symbols in this new language has indeed become the new language used in everyday life.
Symbolic Interactionism Cont’d…Cons
-The presence of a symbol now replaces actual emotion, and is treated as such,
-With increased multi-tasking comes decreased quality,
-Constant use of technology is creating a heavy reliance where individuals cannot function otherwise.
Labelling Theory
Labelling Theory
The millennial generation or “millennials”, are
growing up with a completely different set of
values and this can be applied to the labeling
theory.
Social norms have completely changed and
what was once considered rude, frowned
upon, or perhaps unheard of, is now socially
accepted.
Labelling Theory Cont’d…Examples of Changes
-Texting at the dinner table,
-Internet dating
-Online shopping and banking,
-Bluetooth or headphones on while talking to someone
-Can you think of anymore?
Conflict Theory
Conflict TheoryTechnologyGoogle, Apple and Facebook are perhaps the three largest technologically advanced companies in the world. These three companies have almost unlimited power over millions who rely on them daily.
The power they have can be used to affect politicies, government, and most significantly, social order throughout the cyber and physical world.
Social Media
-Youtube
-Chive
Conflict Theory Cont’d…Youth and Conflict Theory
Many teens and young people cannot go a day without technology. Studies have shown that the average teen spends 11 hours a day on technology and sends over 3000 texts a month!
A study commissioned by Nokia found that in total, users check their smartphones approximately every 6 minutes and average around 150 checks during a waking day of 16 hours! This number includes alarms, games, calls, texts, applications such as calculators and clocks. The majority, however comes from checking phones during periods of boredom.
The ProblemHow much is too much?
Technology has caused change over the entire world. The advancement has been both positive and negative physically, psychologically and sociologically. However, with studies not yet complete in regards to the long term effects on users, the short term effects must be looked at and judged as to the results; especially on youth.
Certain studies have shown that those who begin using cell phones heavily as teenagers have 4 to 5 times more instances of brain cancer as young adults!
With teens spending an average of 11 hours per day on technology this is a very important area to examine.
SolutionModerationLike anything in life, there is such a thing as too much of something. Until there is more knowledge of the long term effects on extended cellphone and other technology use, society must make an effort to limit their intake.
Encouraging human contact and group work in the younger school years will help in the development of empathy and interpersonal relationships between youth.
Increasing physical activity such as gym class or yard time in schools will get youth moving and help fight physical ailments caused by stagnant activities and sitting.
Create programs that use technology but in healthy manners such as how Nintendo has done with the Wii fit.
Turning off technology at night to allow for a restful sleep without interruptions would benefit all areas of development for all ages including youth.
ReflectSymbolic InteractionismIs technology just making good use of symbolic interactionism, or is symbolic interactionism in youth through technology a hurtful thing?
Labelling TheoryCan you think of any social norms that have changed due to technology?
Conflict TheoryDo tech giants like Apple or Google and social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter have too much power? Is their power a good thing?
Where do you fit when it comes to technology?
ReferencesCrossman, Ashley. "Symbolic Interaction Theory." About.com Sociology. About.com,
n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
Dakin, Pauline. "Social Media Affecting Teens' Concepts of Friendship, Intimacy." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.
Mercola, Joseph M., Dr. "Cell Phone Gave Man a Tumor, According to Major Court Ruling." Mercola.com. Mercola.com, 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 02 Apr. 2014
Spencer, Ben. "Mobile Users Can't Leave Their Phone Alone for Six Minutes and Check It up to 150 times a Day." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 11 Feb. 2013. Web. 02 Apr. 2014
"Symbolic Interactionism." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2014.