Are Young People Too Reliant on the Internet

Are Young People Too Reliant on the Internet? By Julienne Vicente 

     As someone who has grown up hearing, “Figure it out, but don’t look it up,” I wasn’t surprised to learn that this advice is reasonable.  I could use this advice when I’m tempted to turn on a search engine.  Should all of us limit our use of technology?

     Our generation uses the Internet as a second brain.  While it’s true that the Internet gives us answers quickly and reliably, it’s not something to get into the habit of doing.  It doesn’t do much harm to look up some facts every once and a while, but we forget things because we can get the answers so easily.

     In “Cognitive Offloading: How the Internet is Changing the Human Brain,” Philip Perry discusses issues affecting our memory’s capacity brought on by search engines. A test was conducted to compare two groups: One couldn’t use any sort of device to answer questions, and the other was allowed to use Google.  The group with access to their smartphones went immediately to the Internet and didn’t even try to answer from memory.  The group deprived of devices were quicker at answering questions because they didn’t reach for their smartphones.  Is the Internet diminishing our memory capacity, or just making our brains more reliant on technology?

     While the Internet makes problem-solving easier, is it too easy?  Why should people have to remember anything when they could turn to Google instead?  We have to attempt to use our own minds for problem-solving so we don’t forget how to do so.

     An example of this reliance on technology is when my class had a math test and we were allowed to use calculators.  Most of us used them at every opportunity, even though each of us was capable of solving the problems on our own.  It was easy to get the answers with technology and we didn’t want to take a chance on being wrong.

     It’s time to take a step back from technology.  This generation may have been born into a digital world, but we can take small steps to set the next generation up for success.  We can start by teaching them how to use technology selectively, responsibly, and productively. 

Essay Question:  Do you agree with the author’s point of view or not?   Discuss.