New Media and Technology: Who sits in the Audience?

Living in an era of ever-changing technology makes it easy to forget, or simply overlook, who is sitting in the crowd (or more appropriately who is sitting in front of the screen).  The internet places no age restriction on its users, which can be seen as both practical and concerning. 

It’s hard to fathom the idea that the small children we see running around are already impacted by new media and technologies.  Whether this is good or bad depends on the user and the extent of information that they are exposed to.  It seems as though the age for interest in technology is getting younger by the second, and it is not uncommon to spot young children (including infants) entertaining themselves through the use of technology.  Whether it is a smartphone, computer, or the television, their attraction to technology never fails.  Parents will do whatever they can to keep their children happy, and if that includes a saliva covered smartphone in the hands of their 14 month old baby, then so be it. 

My father enjoys using the phrase: “back in my day…” which then cues the endless rant about “how easy you have it with today’s technology”.  His stories are proof enough that times are continuously changing.  However ridiculous it may seem to spot fifteen different infants enjoying a stroller ride through the store while completely preoccupied with a technological device in the palm of their hands, it is the unmistakable reality of where our society stands in today’s day and age. 

The space based culture that we live in today requires unending change.  Change in content, new media, technology, software, and even users.  As time progresses, more and more users are entering the online community.  If the continuous introduction of new media and technology simply foreshadows what the future entails, then it only makes sense that our children should be familiar with its interactions.  After all, the children of our society ultimately determine the future of our society. 

The real question is what content is helpful and what content is harmful?  In a journal paper titled, “Children and Computers: New Technology – Old Concerns”, authors Ellen Wartella and Nancy Jennings explore the benefits and concerns that society should have regarding children’s access to the online world.  This article highlights the enhanced learning and interactive nature that accompanies new media and technology uses in children.  Studies confirm that children receive enriched learning experiences that have proven to strengthen cognitive thinking, as well as heightened interactivity levels when using technology such as the internet.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, the downside to early technology use lies in its lack of filtered content. 

The internet is now an endless source for information, but a great deal of its content is not considered appropriate for every user.  If it is impossible to censor every fragment of inappropriate content does this mean that we should ban internet use for our children altogether, or should we simply sit back and hope that their innocence isn’t stolen by the unpredictability of the online community? 

This article not only recognizes the lack of consideration towards content over the internet, but it also makes readers ponder the question: Are we protecting our children by restricting new media and network activities, or are we essentially hindering their ability to keep up with the rest of society?  It is time to acknowledge the fact that the standard for “appropriate” needs to rise in order to stimulate growth among our future society.  This article helps to point out the dire need to improve the level of conversation that happens over the internet. 

"Children and Computers: New Technology - Old Concerns" http://www.princeton.edu/futureofchildren/publications/journals/article/index.xml?journalid=45&articleid=201&sectionid=1311