Family columnist warns .‘electronic apocalypse’ . online generation electronics-addicted youth

I have friends who have young children, around 6-7 years old, that learned how to use an Ipad in-and-out before they could even read, write or count.

I just can't help but wonder what the next generation will be like growing up and being dependent on these devices.

There is a reason why Steve Jobs forbid his own children from using Ipads and social media devices.

The reason Steve Jobs didn't let his children use an iPad

originally posted by: Konduit
I have friends who have young children, around 6-7 years old, that learned how to use an Ipad in-and-out before they could even read, write or count.

I just can't help but wonder what the next generation will be like growing up being dependent on these devices.

There is a reason why Steve Jobs forbid his own children from using Ipads and social media devices.

The reason Steve Jobs didn't let his children use an iPad

INDEED.

I didn't know that about Jobs.

Good on him.

Interesting.

Thanks.

a reply to: BO XIAN

I've always wondered about the analogy between Apple's logo and the biblical tale of the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge.

Take a bite, nothing will go wrong...

The best way to end this, is to get rid of force usage of computer from schools. You can keep blaming the kids for not handing in homework that isn't printed properly. Then you can also keep blaming kids for not getting off their computer and cell phones who require wifi to do all the work. One way or the other kids are getting screwed over because Western education keeps forcing them to use the internet for everything.

Instead of learning from the outside. Everyone is forced to learn from the inside(a computer).

a reply to: BO XIAN

I can't understand what the fascination is with these 'smart' phones. I am happy to leave mine in the car or in another room. The only reason I even have a phone is because the wife wants to be able to get a hold of me...other than that I could care less.

a reply to: Metallicus

I have doggedly stuck to my basic old flip style prepaid TRACFONE.

Google et al know far too much about me without me getting a smart phone. LOL.

a reply to: Konduit

INDEED.

Welllllll, the tech 'bite' was bitten off long ago . . . and has been ever more rapidly consumed day by day . . .

until the gears grind to a stop

. . . which they will.

a reply to: makemap

I agree with you. When they are not teaching how to do long math, or to write or read cursive.....it makes me really uncomfortable. About 20 years ago I had some experiences that alarmed me ----

a local small businessman for whom I worked decided to "go digital!" back in 1998. I had been working with computers for 20 years at that point....I knew that they crash, they stop, they fail. So, I said - so where should we keep the hard copies?
And he looked at me like I was nuts, and (this is a true story) said: "We won't need those anymore."


About that same time I was working in an alternative school setting (public school alternative placement - for the unruly and/or unable kids) and a bunch of middle school boys were not required to do long math. I was appalled. I made them learn it anyway. Because every kid needs to know how to count and multiply and divide numbers. It's insane to not teach them those basic skiils!

...............
anyway

The flower shop chain closed down - the kids I worked with were at least able to use a dictionary and knew how to add columns of numerals and also to figure multiples of nine....(nine times six equals five and enough more to make nine!). I remember that kid jumping up and down when he "got it!" ......


And just about two weeks ago, when our city was being smothered by an unsafe heatwave, the market where I was shopping was unable to ring up purchases or to manage transactions. I was particularly hungry that morning. I noted that there seemed to be a lot lot lot more people there now - and said something to the guy with the whistle lanyard ------
wow it got really crowded all the sudden!

and he explained to me that the computer system had been struck by lightning (for all practical purposes; it was actually called a "power surge") and we'd all have to just bloody wait. So. There were a few clever folk who were willing to make change for cash transactions. I took one of my two apples and one of my two yogurts (and left the rest of the stuff in the cart - it was a full cart!) over to the lady - and after some bewilderment on her part, I paid the $.81 (eighty-one cents) for the yogurt and the apple, and then I walked over to the deli area and asked them to wash off the apple and get me a spoon. They did so with a smile.

It was fine. But how many people have no concept of how to do real math? (It's simple - you just start with the amount they owed, and then count until you get to the amount they gave you, and then do the minus of ........................GAH!!!! nm)

This world is in sad shape.

a reply to: Sublimecraft
You are not alone.

There is a very good reason they are pushing this technology on the masses. Parents should be parents again and at least protect and prepare their children.

Here is why SteveJobs didn't let his kids use ipads and why you shouldn't either

a reply to: BO XIAN

I am wanting to go back to one. I probably will when this one dies.

I don't do anything on my phone besides text and voice.

a reply to: rollanotherone

Yeah, the porn bit is crazy. I remember having to sneak a magazine etc. I can't imagine the effect of having access to the amount and "variety" of it as a young boy.

a reply to: Metallicus

same here. I treat my cell like an old fashioned land-line - if I'm busy, I don't answer it. Some people get irritated with me now because I don't always answer. Sometimes it stays on silent in the other room all day long...

My response: "I was busy."

My attitude: It is a phone, not a pager. My kids are grown now, and yes, I keep my phone near me at night in case there is an emergency of some kind - and yes, I take it with me when I drive because roadside assistance might be an issue -

but I am not a doctor...I am not "on call 24/7" for the convenience of the world. Leave me a message, or try again later. I'll get back to you! I'll see that I missed your call! Chillax!

a reply to: Metallicus

I only use voice and text and camera. And I hate texting. Barbie-sized keyboards don't work for human-sized hands! That thumb thing is not something I'm interested in perfecting. I'd rather learn to play the banjo if I'm going to put that much effort into it.

Consequently, I deliberately have very limited "savvy" about what my phone could do - if it does what I want it to do (allow me to speak to someone, and take good quality pics and videos. show me who's calling, or when, that's enough).

originally posted by: BuzzyWigs
I treat my cell like an old fashioned land-line - if I'm busy, I don't answer it. Some people get irritated with me now because I don't always answer. Sometimes it stays on silent in the other room all day long...

Yes. I see those who grew up with the boundaries set up by culture around us (or etiquette) that frowned on letting technology interfere with face to face communication (dinner table, ex) or made us feel in control of technology rather than the other way around (haha anyone here have their parents threaten to "yank the phone off the wall" or disconnect the cord (to even the tv) for over use/abuse? )

While cell phones are a great tool, I don't think society has set up rules/etiquette for their use. Instead, I see young people "needing" to answer every call/text at any time, whether that time is in school, church, at night when they should be sleeping. There are various communication uses for a cp, but the expectations are there that all types of communication must be instant, 24/7.

It's as if use is out of control of the user. The cell and its info are the center of their attention. Very few turn off their phones. It's very well that, like with alcohol or with other addictions, some people are prone to abuse or become addicted with its use.

a reply to: desert

yep! I put a stop to that behavior one visit to Evanston to see my daughter and help her move. She and her friend were sitting on the floor, backs against the wall, texting and staring at their phones. Like I wasn't even there. I was sitting there cross-legged. Finally I said "Um, I don't have an invisible friend here at the moment, so - can you guys put aside the phones?"

They lived in a third-floor walkup (always a third-floor walk up!! Sheesh! My son does that, too!) that was literally within spitting distance of and elevated at the same level as the El platform that ran past - the train came by every few minutes. It was so loud that we couldn't hear each other talking. I mean truly!, if it was still in the apartment and the windows were open, you could hear what the people waiting for the train were saying to each other....

I made "The Train Rule" (these were 20-year-old college kids!) for the duration of my stay - everyone present while I was visiting had to ignore their phones except when the train was passing by. That gave them about 20 seconds every 20 minutes or so.....

And you know what? They respected my Authoritie!!! But seriously, I wasn't nasty about it, just firm. Kids. I tell ya....
*shakes my head*