Back in the day when my kids were growing up, they enjoyed playing outside, going to a friend’s house, and talking on the phone. They even talked to me, once in a while, when they needed something, in a language that I understood.
Today it seems that kids want to stay inside in their rooms chatting online, texting on their phones, and playing video games. They even have a “techno” language of their own that I do not understand. I recently asked my grandchild questions that he responded to with answers of “idk” and “ty” that left me speechless. My grandchild explained that “idk” means “I don’t know” and “ty” means “Thank-you.” I responded to him with “ty” and we both had a good laugh.
While I am trying to keep my sense of humor about this new techno age, I am wondering what effect this is having on our kids. Kids seem to have more difficulty connecting and communicating at a time when we have the technological ability to be connected with everyone at any place at any time.
I am worried that my grandson and other kids will be handicapped when they can no longer use their language and interpersonal skills to communicate verbally because they have forgotten how to. Another concern is how will they sign their names since some schools no longer teach cursive? I do not think that having excellent typing skills will make up for these deficits.
As a mother and a grandmother as well as a lover of children, I think we all need to look with a critical eye at both the advantages and disadvantages of technology in order to protect our kids and their future.
"TY."
Lin Phillips, Newark
