In complete and total honesty, technology is truly something that I have a love/hate relationship with. For a long portion of my life, it was never something that I had a great amount of direct access to. Therefore, I matured quite a bit before I was able to truly see the effects that technology has on me personally and society as a whole.
Growing up in the early 2000s, I remember my parents having large Dell computers and Blackberry phones. I was always encouraged to read, play outside, or play with Barbies rather than spend my time in front of a TV screen.
My first direct piece of technology came in the form of a reading Kindle at age eight. I was a huge bookworm and reading was conveniently the only feature on this tablet!
A few years later for my tenth birthday in 2014, I FINALLY got an iPad mini! Boy did I think that I was on top of the world. Looking back, this piece of technology consumed my car rides, nighttime rewinding, and waits for appointments. Rather than reading or engaging in conversation like I had been raised, I slowly began to take steps toward technology.
Counter to many kids in society, I did not receive my first smartphone until halfway through middle school. I was twelve years old when I got my first iPhone, and I was not allowed to have social media until I was a freshman in high school! Shocking right?!
For quite some time I resented my parents for not allowing me to “be like all the other kids” and have a phone and social media at a young age. But looking back, their insightful parenting allowed me to develop a healthy relationship with technology at quite a young age.
Studies have shown that children benefit greatly from limited access to cell phones and technology from a young age. By waiting to expose young children to technology, studies have shown they have a smaller risk of obtaining anxiety and depression, increased quality and quantity of sleep, and more time to spend outside.
Because I had a good foundation as a child that my time was not spent on technology, I feel as though I can better manage the time I spend in front of a screen. Before coming to college, I truly preferred pencil and paper in the classroom over a laptop any day.
However, since coming to college, I have had to change to primarily using a form of technology for notetaking and studying. College is very fast-paced. And truly, I can type a lot faster than I can write!
Now you may notice that I said I *primarily* use technology for notetaking and studying in college. However, I have been fortunate enough to have at least one professor each semester who has required paper notetaking and no technology.
Similar to delaying technology use in young children, there have been benefits found to taking notes on paper in class as well. Benefits such as minimal distractions, more mental processing, and increased engagement are benefits that will go beyond the classroom and into the workplace.
As I have gotten older, I have found that I use technology primarily for communication purposes. Text messages, phone calls, and emails…OH MY! Rarely do I find myself scrolling on social media or playing games. That is partly due to my busy schedule. But I have also found that it is due to my maturing personality. I have much better ways that I can spend my time, and 24 hours a day is not enough to do everything that a busy college schedule requires.
Because of the way that I was raised, I feel that my healthy relationship with technology is mirrored in my family as well. We very much emphasize face-to-face conversations at meals and time as a family. Technology is used as a way to decompress for us rather than a way to distract us from our relationships!
As I mentioned earlier, I was not allowed to have a social media presence until I was in high school! At the moment, I was very resentful of my parents for making that decision. However now, I could not be more thankful! I am now so conscientious of what is attached to my name and profile for the here and now and also the future.
Both of my parents have worked in higher education during my life. So, I have been fortunate to hear their perspective and stories on a student’s online footprint. After Googling myself, the only online platform that pulled up was my LinkedIn profile!
Studies have shown that having a trustworthy digital footprint is a key component that employers look for in employees. Being protective of the information you post and share with the world is a keyway to practically protect your digital footprint. It is vital for individuals, especially young adults, to be proactive and aware of the impact that a digital footprint can have on the
long run.
Technology has many benefits and downfalls. Each is important to consider when choosing whether to use technology in a productive or not-productive way. Throughout my life, I have seen the vast changes that technology has had in the education, corporate, and private aspects of society. I know that it is going to continue to change and grow for the rest of time!
