Generation M2

After viewing Frontline's Digital Nation and the Kaiser Foundation video clip on Generation M2 - Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-year olds it would be easy to get depressed about the images of children hooked into their digital media devices 24/7 seemingly disconnected from the real world around them. We lament that the explosion in the use of technology is taking time away from children reading, creating, enjoying the outdoors, talking to each other, spending time with their families. These concerns are valid and similiar to the concerns parents and teachers have had in the past about kids watching too much TV, playing video games or listening to music that might have a bad influence on them. In reacting to the negative side of too much technology or to technology that is new, it is easy to lose sight of the positive. Like anything there are pros and cons, the good with the bad. And also like anything there has to be a balance and a moderation in its use. To me so much about how kids use technology can be guided by common sense. We need to teach kids to be thoughtful users of technology and analytical consumers of digital media and all media. Having access to so much should be viewed as an opportunity to teach children to be critical thinkers in their use of technology. Being involved with kids and how they use technology is important. What struck me about use of media and kids was the role of parents and the difference it made when parents are involved and supervise their kids use of technology and digital media. We want our kids to be media literate in a good way and a conscious, educated way. Talk to our kids as parents and teachers and stay involved in an active, caring way. To me this is the common sense part. Saturation and overuse of digital technology may very well not be the problem, but simply be symptomatic of the problem.