GROWING UP WIRED, RAISING KIDS IN THE DIGITAL AGE: REVIEW (4)
By Lee Chua, Queena N, Dionisio, Ma. Isabel Sison, Fernandez, Nerisa C, Alignay, Michele S. (Eds.). 2013, Anvil Publishing, Mandaluyong City, Philippines, 362 pages.
The ‘me, me, me generation’ or ‘multitasking generation’ is also
In many cases, the ability to do things simultaneously is impaired because both tasks draw on one or more of the same information-processing systems of the brain. The research has shown in America that multitasking is dangerous for learning.
Understanding and visualizing multitasking tasks, which have disrupted the study process of children, has allowed the authors to suggest ways of countering the multitasking phenomenon. The development of the human mind still needs a balanced media diet, but there must also be ample time provided for reading and auditory media experiences. Youth being distracted and entertaining themselves with cyberspace will minimize the chance to learn and develop their imagination and creativity.
The authors then raise the question - How to battle against distraction in schools? The authors discovered that nearly half of the students struggle to focus on their teachers’ lectures. To subside the tide of distraction, three methods are proposed by the authors. All three methods recognize that external control comes from either the authority (teacher) or from some form of digital media.
Understanding and visualizing multitasking tasks, which have disrupted the study process of children, has allowed the authors to suggest ways of countering the multitasking phenomenon. The development of the human mind still needs a balanced media diet, but there must also be ample time provided for reading and auditory media experiences. Youth being distracted and entertaining themselves with cyberspace will minimize the chance to learn and develop their imagination and creativity.
The authors then raise the question - How to battle against distraction in schools? The authors discovered that nearly half of the students struggle to focus on their teachers’ lectures. To subside the tide of distraction, three methods are proposed by the authors. All three methods recognize that external control comes from either the authority (teacher) or from some form of digital media.
Controlled by the authorities means teacher and school are called to establish and hold the control for students. For instance, regulating the prohibition of using mobile phones in the classroom. Control also can be made through designing tools in such a way that encourage students to use them well.
The teachers, on the other hand, also need to be trained on how to make lectures interesting. Besides these external controls, the internal control, which is the control from the students themselves, is far more fundamental to ensure that they stay on the right track.
Real Friends, Facebook Friends
One of fundamental qualities or identities of the human being is empathy. Empathy means the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within the other person's frame of reference. The absence of empathy in one’s life demonstrates a lost of his/her genuine identity in a social relationship.
Real Friends, Facebook Friends
One of fundamental qualities or identities of the human being is empathy. Empathy means the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within the other person's frame of reference. The absence of empathy in one’s life demonstrates a lost of his/her genuine identity in a social relationship.
This chapter argues that the students who have lived in the wired world lack empathy. A study in the USA in 2011 showed that college students score 40% lower in empathy than those of the past decades. Various reasons are attributed to this decline of empathy in this ‘me, me, me generation.’ Violent media is a factor, since it can numb sensitivity to others’ pain as well as the unstoppable development of social media have contributed to the decrease in empathy. A study at the University of Michigan showed that college students today may be so busy worrying about themselves and their own issues that they do not have time to spend empathizing others.
The difficulty of being less empathetic towards others is also caused by narcissism, depression and the loss of humanity. A study conducted by an American psychologist, Jim Taylor, of whom was cited by the authors, argues that being narcissistic appears because the students fail to appreciate or recognize the emotions of other people.
The difficulty of being less empathetic towards others is also caused by narcissism, depression and the loss of humanity. A study conducted by an American psychologist, Jim Taylor, of whom was cited by the authors, argues that being narcissistic appears because the students fail to appreciate or recognize the emotions of other people.
Furthermore, he argues, that children do not have enough exposure to messages that promote selflessness and empathy. Studies that we also conducted in New Zealand and were again cited by the authors, demonstrate that many Facebook profiles display depressive symptoms with some experiencing major depression. The intensity of the online world is thought to be a factor that may trigger depression in some adolescents.
Needless to say, the media environment that bombards the life of students/teens with all types of content and exposes them to all types of arguments has resulted in this type of human being. Forgetting others has become a regular habit. Trust, depth of thought and a certain spirit of humanity is now something being considered a thing of the past.
The consequences of children who are raised with gadgets loses out in the development of social skills. In virtual play, the children might be able to love or interact with other people or families, but they will not experience real world interactions. When there is too much time spent on gadgets, a child’s social interaction with other people become limited.
The consequences of children who are raised with gadgets loses out in the development of social skills. In virtual play, the children might be able to love or interact with other people or families, but they will not experience real world interactions. When there is too much time spent on gadgets, a child’s social interaction with other people become limited.
The impact of using media has led the authors to discuss the consequences it has on communication. Two significant questions are proposed: “How can we combat the tendencies of media, especially social media, to promote narcissism in even best of us?” And, how can we manage social media to minimize communication problems with one another” (p. 200). For all media users, the authors remind the readers that ‘there are real people at the other end of any digital communication.’
The book also suggests for the media to keep comments in perspectives so that everyone is heard and accepted. The authors also invite the reader to consider these four steps in using media:
Firstly, re-think or be aware of the problem by truthfully acknowledging how much time one spends with digital media. Secondly, re-boot, which means that one should refrain from using social media (Facebook). The third step is to re-connect. An invitation to introduce one's technologies back, but within limits. The final step is to re-vitalize. This means learning to control social media, not let it control your life.
To be Continued .....
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