My research paper will consist of a question a lot of people ask: Do you think that the internet today is making children smarter or dumber? I hope to justify my argument that: the internet is indeed making the millennials of today smarter because of the numerous information and resources that the internet provides us today, that weren’t provided in years prior. I will also provide you with the opposing viewpoint that some people-specifically older adults, consider the internet to be something that hinders our minds and negatively affects us as people. For the older generations, the internet we know today is still very foreign to what they understand it and know it to be because of how different technology has become. Millennials today are relatively more comfortable with internet usage considering they were born into the prosperous age of communication, networking, information, and more.
My motivation for favoring internet usage today stems from me not only being a millennial in today's society, but the constant criticizing claims from older adults, that students are not only unable to focus from being on the internet, and that it dehumanizes and disassociates us from the rest of the world. Being a college student, this statement is expressed many times, however, I feel that I have a good view of how the internet not only affects me but every millennial likewise.
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The internet plays a big role in terms of the job market for millennials now. Everything is almost projected online, in advertisements, via text, email, and the fastest way to reach those things? - our cell phones and mobile devices. They are so efficient because of their availability and easy-to-reach style. We are constantly checking our phones because it’s like a vessel in terms of how almost everything and everyone is and must be contacted- through our screens. So, for us, as millennials, it was almost a requirement for us to have to become adept and learn how to quickly pick up the ways of the internet, and oftentimes even before our parents and grandparents did.
As stated previously, my audience is primarily older adults and some millennials; however, I want this paper to extend to a wide range of people, such as from young children to the elderly.
There was one website I read that talked about how helpful the internet proved itself to be. It was especially useful because I feel it can help others to gain a new perspective from someone of an older generation who was completely unaware of what the internet holds. “How Social Media and Technology Are Changing the Lives of the Elderly” was written by Alicia, Matsurra, who interviewed a newfound internet user: 79-year-old Livia Weinstein. Weinstein stated throughout that she has family in Italy, and the internet helped her reconnect with her faraway relatives. According to Matsuura, “Connecting with family members and friends is just one of the many ways the internet has positively impacted the lives of older adults. . .Over the next decade as the baby boomer generation continues to age, the number of seniors using the internet is expected to increase. . .” (Matsuura, Alicia). Yes, the internet can be scary and misleading, especially for the naive and vulnerable; however, it teaches our brains- both young and old, how to jump from one topic to another, and as long as you find that perfect balance between being knowledgeable of the internet, but not over consuming, you’ll find that it is quite beneficial to people of all ages!
Through my conduct of research, my sources shed light on the differences between old and new media and how the internet has opened new doors into our world outside of home. The internet is the primary source of where people get their education from. On the contrary, certain forms of media should be more regulated in terms of younger millennials, specifically below the age of eighteen years old. According to “Traditional vs. New Media: The Balancing Effect”, a website written by Grant Christian, . . .” The internet allows us the ability to find things in a matter of seconds. At the same time, traditional media remains an integral part of our lives. . . it’s pertinent that we find and maintain a balance between both types of media.” (Christian, Grant). This is to let older generations understand that both old and new media are still prevalent to growth and are both prominently similar, so there is no need to be so afraid of the new digital age, and all it has to offer.
Using the Internet is just as much of a research tool for data collection, just as any textbook, calculator, or dictionary would be. It is subconsciously just another way of rewiring our brains to adapt to new skills to survive in this new generation. As claimed by the website:” Is Social Media Making Millennials Stupid? “by Meg Murphy, states, “. . .Millennials we say a lot of contradictory things about your minds. We say you are more adept at finding answers to deep questions because of your ability to search effectively on the Internet. You are getting smarter” (Murphy, Meg). The internet improves students' ability to quickly switch between many different tasks, which is very important in understanding how to adapt to quick changes.
My purpose in writing this research paper is to inform and present to you the many aspects of the internet, and why it’s more prominent than ever and is not worsening our minds. While the Internet isn’t perfect, and has many flaws, the majority of the Internet is very useful and beneficial to a lot of people, especially millennials. My overall goal of this paper is to hopefully change the minds of older adults into a new way of thinking: the thinking that the internet is doing more good than it is bad. It is helping, not hindering anyone. I hope that my readers look at this in a new light, a new perspective, and an open mind, as it’s a new age, and our world is viewed through a completely expanding mindset.
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