Poll: The new generation of children.

[PiCroft]

Is every generation of old people destined to sneer on younger people?

If I grow up and find myself scoffing at the foibles of the young, I would probably shoot myself to spare me a fate of being a grumpy old bastard.

I'm sure every generation thought the one following was spoiled, moreso nowadays because the explosion of computer technology has made advanced gadgets so cheap and widespread.

(this coming from a 21 year old)

 

[shadowelancer]

Im 16 and even I say that there too technoglogicaly equipped. The only time kids under the age of 12 need an mp3 player is for long car rides to shut them up.

 

[I_LIKE_CAKE]

I agree that kids are getting over exposed to electronics and technology. It is really an issue of parenting. Parents either want to keep tabs on there kids, an understandable but ultimately damaging instinct, or they just don't want to do the admittedly hard work of parenting, so they hand their child an ipod, cellphone, psp, etc. I got a gameboy at a fairly young age, but it was the only game system I was allowed to have, and there were strict limits on when I could play. I remember being furious when my mother routinely kicked me out of the house on nice days to play outside, but, truly, the activities that I came up with as a bored child have become some of my fondest memories. Time to be bored is invaluable and should be cultivated.

 

[Spleenbag]

I hate mobile phones and Ipods, I just can't stand mobile phones. I hardly ever use my phone and I don't know where it is. I hate the texting function with the fiery fury of a supernova.

Most adults do..Mainly because this wasn't around when they were children, so they can't relate, but I do agree with the text feature. Why not just call someone? Oh, because it's too inconvenient!

(and if you're not an adult, my mistake)

I'm 16 which makes my opinions weirder, I don't see why people don't just call, instead of crippling their thumb and waiting 5 minutes for someone to text back, when they can call, get an instant reply, then done, it pisses me off.

Fourteen here. Quoted for truth. I believe VGCats put it best with something along the lines of "it's taking a step backwards to telegraph technology". I mean, why? Add in that all texting plans cost extra money anyway... The only reason I get a charge for it is because my friends text me, and because I'll occasionally shoot a quick yes/no question to someone. Other than that, phone call.

Unfortunately, everyone bitches when you call them because "texting's faster and easier!" Yeah, maybe if you're some chick (no offense, but girls seems to use their phones more overall) who spends five hours a day sending messages... but I don't happen to command my phone as well as you. Fuck off.

Errr... all you's are in second person. :O

 

[xChevelle24]

Hmmm...

I'm 14. Do I still count as a kid/child? I consider myself mature enough to make a point, so here goes:

General rules: bells and whistles need to be shot. Camera phones look like shit. Unless it's also a protective device, you don't need a skin on whatever gadget you've got. Yes, text messaging can be convenient in some cases, but if you are texting someone a message that would be much more suitable to audio contact, you suck. It's taking you far longer and costing you extra money in some way. If it's during class, PUT IT THE FUCK AWAY AND LISTEN TO THE GOD DAMN TEACHER. Socialize during passing period, that's what it's there for. And for the love of God, don't ***** if your phone gets taken away. They have rules about that crap for a reason.

Cell phones: no kid needs one of these until mid-to-end middle school or beginning high school. Certainly not a elementary-level student, and certainly not a five-year-old. What the hell is a five-year-old going to do with a cell but play with it? Or make calls to weird long-distance numbers or something.

MP3 players: roughly the same guidelines as above. If you can find a phone/MP3 combo device (most things are, nowadays) then that should do fine. If they're younger than the suggested ages above, a simple disc player or something should suffice, but seriously: where the hell is your child going that they need portable music and you're not going to be with them?

Laptops: you don't need a laptop until college, unless you're going to study abroad for extended periods or something like that. Again though, most people studying abroad are in college. Some HS students do spend summers in other countries though so maybe.

Agreed. Minues the texting in class because I do that all the time, yet maintain a 4.0 GPA so I guess I'm exempt from that part.

 

[iJosh]

You really can't go anywhere without seeing someone take out a cell phone and reply to a text message. Nowadays its essential for a teen to have the newest brand of cell phone to be cool. Another thing pretty much everyone has is a fucking Mp3 player/iPod.

 

[Lullabye]

the age you stop being important is 33. after that you stop being a target consumer. so if you are over 33 and are feeling like the world doesn't care about you anymore, your right......

also, the way technology is evolving means us "kids" have far more responsibility then many of you had growing up. Don't say we don't. We do, if not then just as much as you do. Honestly, look at the world now, then look a t history. Aside from the medieval ages the worlds in the worst condition its ever been in. And a good bulk of it is because of technology. So us kids have to learn quickly how to deal with the thousands of different types of of technology and media so that we can cut throught the shit and find the truth. Honestly how often have you used wiki regardless of ur age? How much do you trust wiki? You know it can be edited any time by any1? right, so? How much do u trust people? Would u let ur kid be alone in the street b4 dark?...thought so....and yes it is those same types of people who fuck with wiki and the rest of the internet. this is why im so glad i found the escapist. i was this close to going to 4 chan when i found this website. This is like the wiki and 4chan is the urbandictionary. Yeah we have alot of technology, but honestly its the older generation whos dealing with the really complex stuff. Besides we are kids, we can learn anything!

 

[Woundingisfun]

Is every generation of old people destined to sneer on younger people?

If I grow up and find myself scoffing at the foibles of the young, I would probably shoot myself to spare me a fate of being a grumpy old bastard.

I'm sure every generation thought the one following was spoiled, moreso nowadays because the explosion of computer technology has made advanced gadgets so cheap and widespread.

(this coming from a 21 year old)

It's a difference between sneering and worrying. I really worry for these kids because.. well I guess I have made myself pretty clear in the start of the thread.
Old people today say that the youth today (14 - 18) are cheeky and spoiled but I dont think we have any other evidence then that we "got to come home to a warm house with lightbulbs ect ect.." These are standard issues in todays society. (In wealthy or average countries that is) What is not standard issue is cellphones for small, 6 year old kids. I dont think that the kids are spoiled, I think the parents are making them so in hope of them getting a good future and childhood, but instead f*cking it up, and therefore are they what they are.

 

[Agayek]

I agree. My five year old cousin doesn't go anywhere with out his cell phone, iPod, DS, and his parents keep a portable dvd player in their car to keep him amused on long rides and if they take him to dinner with them but want to keep him occupied.

I think it's total bullshit. Kids today spend all of their time with electronic devices around them and never actually do anything that a normal kid would do. He has a tree house in his back yard that he never plays in, a pool that is only used when people come over during the summer for parties. I think it's just sad that he doesn't do any of the normal kid things.

nor⋅mal
?adjective
1. conforming to the standard or the common type; usual

The vast majority, or usual if you'd prefer, of kids spend lots of time with electronics. That makes it normal. Just because it wasn't normal 20 or 30 years ago doesn't mean it's abnormal now. Times change, and you'll have to live with that.

The electronics and whatnots have nothing to do with the problems of the current generation. If they didn't have said electronics, it'd be the fault of their clothes, or the music they listen to or whatever else they do differently from the way their parents grew up.

Any and all problems with today's youth can be traced directly to the parents, and their lack of responsibility for the behavior of their children.


And at the people complaining about kids getting up to shit they're not supposed to on the internet: It's the parents' responsibility to make sure they don't do crap like that. Whether that means spending time with their kids going over what's okay and not okay to do, or putting in parental controls, or even just standing over their shoulder 24/7. It's absolutely no fault of the electronics.

IMO, there should be a licensing test before you're allowed to reproduce, to ensure a) you are smarter than a goldfish, b) you can actually afford a kid, and c) to keep the fucking stupids from acting against natural selection.

 

[Sixties Spidey]

What's funny is that I have a very old shitty mobile. When it was my birthday, my parents gave me the option to buy either a new phone, or a PlayStation 3. I went for the Playstation 3 immediately. And people still have the balls to ask me why I don't get a new phone. Simple.

"BECAUSE IT ISN'T WORTH THE MONEY FOR A NEW PHONE WHEN ALL YOU NEED A PHONE FOR IS TO TALK TO PEOPLE AND SEND MESSAGES!"

GOD.
/rant

 

[iJosh]

Nowadays its essential for a teen to have the newest brand of cell phone to be cool.

Only if the people they socialize with are really that shallow. Really, teenagers just need a mobile and that's it. That they would get victimised because it's not teh l33test 9aJet is a total myth.

Or they can stay home and actually do some chores. Like they're supposed to.

Every time me and my friends go to the pub we see some random fuckers trying to get in because they probably think it's cool to have a few.

 

[PiCroft]

Is every generation of old people destined to sneer on younger people?

If I grow up and find myself scoffing at the foibles of the young, I would probably shoot myself to spare me a fate of being a grumpy old bastard.

I'm sure every generation thought the one following was spoiled, moreso nowadays because the explosion of computer technology has made advanced gadgets so cheap and widespread.

(this coming from a 21 year old)

It's a difference between sneering and worrying. I really worry for these kids because.. well I guess I have made myself pretty clear in the start of the thread.
Old people today say that the youth today (14 - 18) are cheeky and spoiled but I dont think we have any other evidence then that we "got to come home to a warm house with lightbulbs ect ect.." These are standard issues in todays society. (In wealthy or average countries that is) What is not standard issue is cellphones for small, 6 year old kids. I dont think that the kids are spoiled, I think the parents are making them so in hope of them getting a good future and childhood, but instead f*cking it up, and therefore are they what they are.

I guess I'm just jaded because I always see young people being labelled as stupid, irresponsible and generally basket cases, especially by papers and the media.

 

[Bradfucius]

?Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it?

-George Orwell

 

[Woundingisfun]

I partly agree with iJosh, because if they really dont have anything to do, they might as well do something productive. This way they might understand that everything does not happen by itself and that everyone has to do their part.
I see some think that I just want to make the kids (And by kids I mean children between 5 - 10 years) be just like my generation. This is, of course, wrong because there is no way to do this while all the games and electronic temptations are on the marked. Despite this fact, they should not use these devices all the time, but instead the adults should take action and stop the children from using them and make them play outside for a while with their friends.

 

[Weaver]

I'm 22 and all you young'uns need to stop with all them 'lectric gizmos! *sakes stick*