This article was a very easy read and one that I found to be quite enjoyable. On page 10 of the article, the author zones in on the fact that the internet has become a replacement for the traditional ways that young people used to form social skills. She/he refers to it as a "digital landscape"...I can't help but wonder about the effect the internet has on the social skills of children today...I would assume that it would have a negative effect. It is common knowledge that we learn by doing...if the growing generations are learning most of their social skills online, won't these social skills begin to decline, eventually deteriorating over time? It seems as though the further advanced in technology we become as a society, the more we depend on it. Just a thought...any input?
I also found this link...it's a collaboration of different studies done on the effect the internet has on social skills...pretty interesting.
http://www.sierrasource.com/cep612/internet.html
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I fear the same thing about people losing social skills. Not being a huge fan of sitting around indoors, I have always had a dislike for computers. I feel they have had a negative impact on people in many ways, especially children. People who claim to be so "connected," and "in touch," because of the countless hours they spend attached to their computers seem to be less spontaneous and adventurous when it comes to physically getting involved in activities based in the real world. The sad reality is that computers are now necessary and people are forced to depend on them to some degree (Just look at us now- earning our degrees over the internet). I think it is important for the sake of keeping our humanity and personal qualities in tact that social interaction is encouraged and maintained. It is completely possible to learn computer literacy and still live life in the real world. We need to teach children to be able to do both in order to be happy and successful.
ReplyDeleteI think that you both have a good point, but with any activity, I think it's the job of the parents to balance their childrens' activities. I do think the computer is a great tool, but children should also be outside playing, being involved in some organized sport or hobby to help them build their social skills too.
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