Originally published August 6 2005
Teens getting so tech-savvy
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
When it comes to teens and technology, e-mail is just so yesterday. Instant messaging and cell phones are where it's happening today, according to a new survey.
The Rosses embody just about every aspect of this study's findings, which report, not surprisingly, that nearly nine out of 10 American teens now use the Internet, an increase of 24 percent since 2000.
Lebanon High School band and acts in its musicals.
But when their computers temporarily malfunctioned earlier this week, "I was miserable," said Mitch.
An estimated 21 million, or 87 percent of the teen population, compared with 66 percent of all adults, use the Internet.
About half of those teens go online each day, according to Amanda Lenhart, senior research specialist at Pew, which not only looked at Internet use but at all communication technologies used by teens, from laptops to cell phones to personal digital devices.
Nearly 13 percent of all American teenagers do not use the Internet at all, the study found -- most of them poor or minorities with limited access to technology.
Interestingly, teenage fascination with cyberspace starts almost like clockwork in seventh grade.
At that point, instant messaging, in particular, makes interaction between the sexes less intimidating, she noted.
"I like instant messaging better because it's more like a real conversation," said Mitch Ross, noting that he can talk to up to 10 people at the same time on his "buddy list" while instant messaging.
If teens use the Internet to escape that kind of interaction, "they may be missing something extremely valuable in the developmental cycle, as unpleasant as it may be."
Moreover, Healy worries that today's wired teens are really a generation of " 'outside in' kids, who are constantly responding to outside stimuli and constantly on the alert, meaning you may not be able to think deeply and creatively because the brain is taking care of its safety needs by being vigilant.
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