In Amy Goldwassers article "What Is The Matter With Kids Today?" She basically states, the internet is feared by parents and authorities to be dumbing down the teen population, but in actuality the internet making teens today voluntary writers, critics and researchers. I remember (not too long ago) my uncle asked me a question I did not know the answer to, I responded by telling he to look it up on the internet. He then told me he did not use the internet and didn't trust anything he found on it. This statement dumbfounded me. How could he totally reject this amazing tool I had used with success countless times? I believed the internet was such a useful tool to find information in an instant and could not understand why he would disregard it so quickly. Being form the pre-internet generation he had no idea what this newfangled contraption could be used for so he threw out the concept completely. Teens today have grown up completely in an era of instant information and regard it as an acceptable means of research. I can personally relate to this article because I have seen first had how beneficial the internet can be as a tool for communication and learning, and I have observed how many people of older generations just don't get it. I think when people try to understand the effects the internet is having on teens today they should first understand the internet and its many applications, and only then conduct a survey that is relevant to the current applications of its use.
Nice job, Sara! I like the personal story/connection you share regarding your uncle because I think this is such a common occurrence. Even if you grew up with the Internet, if you aren't used to using it, it can be an intimidating thing and something that you might want to be critical of or shy away from. Anyway, I like your connection. Were there any other insights this article provided you or did the article challenge your beliefs or values in any way?
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