Let’s be honest here, most college students spend an average of 3 hours on technology participating in social activities whether it be Snapchat, Instagram or Facebook. These are some of the most time consuming mediums found on the internet.

Source:cscc.edu

The 10-30 minutes of casually checking one’s phone can add up pretty quickly. But although it is indeed a distraction, I wholeheartedly think that the goods of media and technology outweigh the sacrifices that come, such as being unable to stay on task. In the long term point of view, the aspects of technology posits a net gain in advantages which can make up the time lost being distracted with technology itself.

 

So, what’s the problem? 

This problem of trying to recognize technology as beneficial or harmful is something that is most relevant to today’s society. I believe that there are indeed aspects of technology that interfere with productivity, but it is definitely a friend in that it has all the resources to assist you in growing as a learner. The distractions that can arise is further emphasized by Michelle Obama, who in her Bowie State Commencement Speech says parents should “take a stand against the media that elevates today’s celebrity gossip instead of serious issues of our time”(293). But how does the celebrity gossip occupy that much time in a person’s day? I would say a person can only spend so much time on the celebrity gossip. If 20 minutes were spent, along with a productive hour of focused studying, then I would say the so called “threat” of technology is rather harmless.

Source: Giphy

While some people argue that technology acts as a distraction,I would suggest otherwise as well. I think that it can only be a distraction if one allows it to be. It can actually teach a student discipline if he or she is able to place their phone down for a couple of hours to focus on work. And though there is the still the constant temptation to check the media and private messages, in a broader sense it may actually help students with resistance and focus if they are able to resist such enticing temptations.

 

The Definition of a Time Saver

What people seem to be ignoring is that technology in itself, saves a lot of time. Ponder on the fact of absolutely taking technology out of our lives. Sure we would no longer be distracted by the media, and sure we would no longer be clicking away on those addicting apps. But we would no longer have the efficiency of the computer. Don’t forget that search engines are so efficient that it can’t be hard for it to make up for the time lost on the web from these so called “distractions.” I would describe this engagement of activities as more like a form of entertainment and happiness rather than just a negative distraction.

 

Source: Giphy

 

But Isn’t Everyone Just    ? 

Everyone prospers in different ways, for an academic setting may not always be the ideal learning environment for everyone. For example, some may require an online platform to learn at their best ability. Videos , audio books and online activities may be a way for those who are more active learners to be better in their academic development. Other pessimists of technology like Carr adds to this idea and says that “What the Net seems to be doing is chipping away ones capacity for concentration and contemplation”(315). And though this may be true, this one aspect does not degrade all the benefits that the internet has to offer.

 

Don’t forget also that as I am writing this blog I’m not only writing for enjoyment, but increasing my skills in academic writing. Texting is another example of this, which is reinforced by Michaela Cullington who says that “texting provides a way for teens to practice writing in a casual setting and thus helps prepare them to write formally” (370).

 

This helps spur intrinsic motivation for those who are expressive, but may have trouble with writing about things they are not passionate about.  

Most people rather rant and go on about the psychology of their crazy ex-boyfriend or girlfriend rather than composing an analysis on a book that they never really enjoyed, or maybe never have even read.

 

                             

Source: Giphy

My point here is that there should be no generalizations on technology with regards to its benefits and weaknesses. I ultimately think that it depends on each specific person. It may be a friend for some and a foe for others. Some people may not be capable of resisting technology, while others may be able to use technology and all its perks to their advantage. Casual texting might help more than not texting at all. Not having a phone can be better in staying on task. Having search engines like google can help make meticulous tasks easier to complete. All of these are valid reasons to love and hate technology, and with the world becoming more and more technologically oriented, we must learn to accept technology for all of it’s perks and flaws.

Source: Giphy