Nahtali Horton

Mrs. Scaife
Rhett 1311-9am
November 22, 2016
Tech Take Over
Since the invention of the World Wide Web in 1990, technology has consumed us,
becoming one of the most integral parts of society. Working itself into our lives and even our
bodies with artificial hearts, or cameras acting as light sensors to restore sight in the blind. Now
it feels almost like our children were born with nanobytes in their blood with their aptitude for
technology. The youth has taken the internet past what was ever imagined way back then.
Millennials have turned the internet into an all consuming how to guide, how to hate, how to
pretend, and how to evade.
Digital communication is more negative to society because of . Fifty two percent of
youth have admitted to being bullied or harassed online,making the internet a very hostile
environment for our children (Cyber Bullying Statistics). Differences are recognized,
ostracized, and attacked. In the case of Ashley Cardonna, her exceptional height and an
unfortunate scar were the source of constant torment by her classmates. Ashleys mother had
been quoted as saying I just dont have a child anymore. Her childhood was stolen, at twelve
she killed herself. The internet clearly affects the youth deeply, yet they seem to have little
control over it. Ninety two percent of youth have seen yet ignored cyberbullying (source). MIT
researcher and technology expert, Sherry Turkle, calls this type of bystander behavior The
Goldilocks effect . With eighty percent of teens owning smart phones the harassment is almost
impossible to avoid (Turkle). The hate lives in their phones and in the dark corners of the

internet . It sleeps in their beds with them, and goes in their pockets. Theyre addicted to the
glowing blue back light of the hate, casting an electronic spell making them come back for more.
Digital communication is constantly negative towards the people today. Its destroying
the real image of who we are. Parents sit at the breakfast/dinner and text and do emails while
their children complain about not having their parents full attention(Turkle). Children watch what
we do, grow up to follow in our foot steps. The same children then deny each other's attention
(Turkle). People go hang out together while not being together. In the lives of the American
youth, online spaces are used frequently to meet romantic partners. What is wrong with face to
face conversation? Technology has let us present ourselves how want to look and be, editing,
deleting, retouch, or as Turkle stated in her Ted talk Not too little, Not too much, just right.
Thirty five percent of teens have been in a romantic. Social media has taken over a whole new
way of flirting. For some teens, social media is a space where they can express their
relationship to others on display. What does the real face look like behind an Im sorry text.

Although many may disagree with Turkle,that technology has strengthen communication,
that technology has definitely keeping in touch a lot easier and essential. We have our mobile
devices to contact that person at any time. Studies have also been shown that students who
have better access to technology have a better chance at learning and doing well in school
compared to those who dont. Students can sit in on a car ride and ready their english book by
the palm of their hand. Students are even able to take courses online and earn their degree.
Also while technology is being embedded into the workplace, technology is also preparing the
students for the future.
In conclusion, the internet not only teaches young people to attack others, but turn on
themselves too. Constantly being bombarded with Kardashian look alike instagram models and

snapchat filters sets unrealistic goals for our youth. As Turkle said in her Ted Talk, Solitude is
where you find yourself. In order for the youth to properly develop, they need to unplug from the
internet to know themselves and others better than what is being portrayed. As Turkle also
stated in her Ted Talk that the little devices we call cell phones are so psychologically powerful,
so powerful that they dont just change what we do but who we are, allowing us to customize
our lives.Yes, technology educates us and improves our learning ability but is it doing more
harm than good? Are we who we say we are?

Works Cited
Cyber Bullying Statistics. No Bullying.Com, October 19, 2016.
<https://nobullying.com/cyber-bullying-statistics-2014>.
The Top Six Unforgettable Cyberbullying Cases Ever. N
o Bullying.Com, October 19, 2016.
<https://nobullying.com/six-unforgettable-cyber-bullying-cases/>.
Teens, Technology, and Romantic Relationships October 1, 2015
<http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/10/01/teens-technology-and-romantic-relationships/>
THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS TECHNOLOGY HAS ON OUR DAILY LIVES
September 19, 2014

<https://www.uwplatt.edu/icet-news/positive-and-negative-impacts-technology-has-our-daily-live
s >