I started a new thread earlier on this very subject. This may seem harsh but it is just my observation. It is my opinion that technology is negatively affecting people especially our youth by distracting them from real life to a virtual existence online. Simultaneously, they are losing important skills like social skills, coping skills, and problem solving skills.
I believe the opposite is true, they are not being enlightened, they are being misled. They are unable to form and maintain real relationships, set boundaries, or even make eye contact with an adult. I constantly see kids displaying lack of discipline or accountability, lack of responsibility, respect, work ethics, and self control. There is an overwhelming sense of entitlement and materialism. Their problem are everyone’s else’s fault. Because the aren’t learning how to make good choices while also avoiding the consequences.
My kid came home the other day and said, “ I got a cell phone violation today and almost lost my phone.” I asked, “Well, did you have your phone out?” “I was putting it in my locker.” “So, it was out then?” “Everybody else does it and they didn’t get a violation!” “But you broke the rule and you got caught.” I was like, seriously?
That’s why I love old people!! They rock! I try to be optimistic but the truth is I’m scared for this generation. What does the future hold for them?
Sorry if I offended anyone.
Another point I would like to add is education. I am very passionate about this subject and so I get a little angry. I apologize in advance for lashing out. School administrators and teachers, I have the upmost respect for y’all. You’re unfortunately, stuck in the middle. I work at a school and have in the past as well as a Teacher’s Aide and a Paraprofessional. The government controls education. What and how much will learn.
I truly believe they are being dumbed down. There is so much testing it’s insane. I know, I know, it’s for funding. We have to know how we are competing with the rest of the world. We are being told these national test scores but how much do we really know. I finally opted my son out of CMAS testing because they spent four weeks just teaching them how to take the test.
Living in working in two different states and school districts, I will tell you that one state is teaching in seventh grade what the other state is teaching in fifth. There were fifth graders who didn't know their multiplication facts or know what counterclockwise meant, oh, why? Because there are only digital clocks in all the classrooms. While in my son’s fourth grade class his spelling word was perspicacious. Who even uses that word?
Writing, now this is sad. They aren’t being taught to free think for themselves in my opinion. In one of the school’s I worked in, there was no brainstorming, or organizing your thoughts into an outline. So, by middle school, many were unable to write a simple five paragraph essay. Forget punctuation, spelling, or grammar. History is being skewed as well, minimized, skimmed over, or just left out. My son had to learn three different ways to get to the same answer of 29x12.
Consequently, I pulled my son out of the Charter Academy he was in and started homeschooling him. I wish everyone was able to do that. He is now trying it again at a public school.
I would love to hear your opinions. Or, you can tell me what my son says, “Mom, can you please stop, no one cares!”
