Growing up in the Age of Technology

Olivia Morris and Cassie Weymouth
April 4, 2022

Today, technology has become an integral part of society with people rarely leaving the house without their phone. And that’s just the start of it. Now it is rare to find someone without their own laptop, smart watch or whatever else is on the market, ourselves included. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Phones have made life a lot easier. But at what age is too young to receive a phone or something similar?

It’s not uncommon to find a small child sitting at a high chair completely engrossed by the iPad in front of them. And to be fair, it’s an effective way to keep your kid quiet and occupied so that parents can relax and enjoy their dinner. But, are children being deprived of a childhood when they are handed a tablet or iPad? It makes you think that all the jokes surrounding iPad kids have merit. 

Remembering back when we were kids, the first iPod touches had just come out, but technology still felt like a distant and adult thing, something I’m incredibly grateful for today. I got to see the world around me before watching things happen thousands of miles away. No video or game will be able to replace afternoons outside with friends, running, biking and all around being kids.

Kids in the younger generations seem to know about the next trend, who is dating who, and all the drama in social media more than they do about their own lives and families.  In a lot of ways social media has replaced the innocence and simpleness that childhood used to be..

Not only this, but technology is highly addictive and it clearly shows. I’m sure many have seen the temper tantrum that often comes along with a parent trying to take away a beloved video game or social media platform. Most adults and teens- who for the most part didn’t receive their phones till middle school or older- already struggle to not constantly check. Introducing technology at younger and younger ages may only make the dependency worse.   

Going outside and playing with anything that you found outside was not only fun but taught us how to deal with life. We toughened up from scrapes and bruises, learned not to run into a busy street and perhaps most importantly how to be independent. It is time to put our phones down and truly experience the world and all it has to offer.