The Internet Is (Still) Not Hurting Children
May 22, 2012 
Author 
In 
CNN ran an opinion story yesterday with the unfortunate title: Is the Internet hurting children? Of course, this is done to provoke debate: they know what they’re doing.
But as I read through the story I couldn’t help but notice the author’s attempt to color the internet (which is actually neutral) as automatically detrimental to kids vs. placing any responsibility on parents. As is typical in these types of stories.
What also strikes me in these anti-technology stories is they never seem to take into account or reference how the previous generation functioned. Children today are part of a vibrant media-literate culture which encourages collaboration through art, knowledge and projects on a global scale.
The next generation of kids will be not only media-literate, they will be active participants by default instead of passive consumers. Instead of the past where children would consume hours of TV a day — a huge % of their waking time gone, forever — they’ll be active and involved in the media creation process.
Imagine a future generation who accept information and ideas not through top-down authority, but through research and each other. A generation able to deftly fact check ideas and not blindly consume stories or traditions because they’re presented as truth. Imagine a generation empowered to question everything. This will reshape those with power in the future.
Further, with so much educational materials at their fingertips the opportunity for children to learn is limitless: many universities such as MIT and conferences like TED open source their materials for global consumption. Enterprising young individuals encouraged and inspired by their parents have opportunity at their fingertips in a way that was never before possible.
It is unfortunate that some seek to paint technology in a dark light, as if it is something parents should fear. This is the wrong mindset and not very helpful. Instead, media need to be framing the shift for our culture that programming is the new literacy. That is, if we want our economy to succeed in the future.
Update: Techdirt has picked this up too.
Danny Brown replied | May 22, 2012 (19 comments)
Wait – are you saying the Official Jonas Brothers site is not detrimental to growth?? ;-)
Amen, sir. if there’s one place that offers the most potential for growth and education, and creating tomorrow’s leaders, it’s the spaces you mention here.
Cheers for keeping it real.
Rob O. replied | May 22, 2012 (15 comments)
Tech itself isn’t a bad thing, but pop tech may very well be. We can see firsthand that Gen Y people who cut their teeth on SoCom and cell phones are not more prone to analytical thinking, social articulacy, or even self-sufficiency.
Please bear in mind that my preceding comments are those not of a Luddite who opposes technological change, but come from a career IT guy. I do support acclimating kids to the Internet (among other things) because it will be a requisite part of their lives.
But before we plunge them headlong into the inescapable cyber-world, we have a responsibility to ensure that they first have all the skills necessary to survive & thrive in the real world. An ability to be self-sufficient, creative, and reasoning individuals will carry them much further in life than an intimate knowledge of word processing.
And beyond it’s role as a research medium, I’m unconvinced that computers in the classroom actually do anything to boost student achievement. Worse yet, the committees that push this agenda so fiercely are mostly manned by representatives of tech companies – a classic case of putting the fox in charge of the henhouse.
So, again, I respectfully advocate that we move our kids gradually and intently towards computer literacy, not just assuming that jamming a mouse (or worse yet, a game controller) in their little hands will inherently make them savvy and productive digital citizens.
Melonie Dodaro replied | May 30, 2012 (9 comments)
The thing is that we live in an age where technology plays a very crucial role in our lives, and
not being engaged in the online world will be like living in the Stone Age. But the thing is that
we need to be vigilant and responsible in guiding our children when they are in front of their
computers.
Jamie replied | May 31, 2012 (7 comments)
Yes, you make a good point in that some do really choose to make technology all bad; clearly this is not the case. There is good in bad in all, including movies, tv, internet, etc. Parents need to step up to the plate to decide what is appropriate for their children.
Mark Long replied | Jun 5, 2012 (1 comment)
Very valid points here, and I agree with Jamie: There is good in bad in all. I’m a new follower and happy to have found your blog. Thanks, Mark.
Rajender replied | Jun 12, 2012 (1 comment)
Well point very well taken. There are good and bad guys in every field, every area of life has got potential to harm us, so does the Internet.
This show internet is not some thing supernatural and we as Human can use it to our benefits and control its non wanted consequences too.
Oscar R replied | Sep 1, 2012 (1 comment)
Everywhere there are good and bad people and things. It is the people who can decide if some things will be used for good or bad purposes. People are given with MINDS to use for good or bad purposes.