Net Generation... are we becoming anti-social?

Summary

Grown Up Digital by Don Tapscott is a book in which the author examines the new generation and titles them the Net Generation. This generation includes all individuals who grew up when the internet , hence the name "Net", became increasingly popular. In the introductory section of the book, Tapscott includes negative comments about the Net Generation that many baby boomers share. Critics claim that the social skills of Net Geners (11-30 year olds) are greatly diminshing because of addictions to the internet and video games. The countless hours spent on the internet decreses the amount of in-person interactions, and
Seemingly handicapped by technology, "screenagers" appear to have a hopeless future.

Response

This particular view about today's generation is clearly one-sided. Though we screenagers are quite techno-savvy, the internet and technology in general isn't exactly ruining our lives and social skills. Quite frankly, technology enables the Net Generation to become more self-aware and informed about society as a whole. Within the past couple of years, Net Geners have used technology not only to reserch socisl issues, but also to inform others about many national topics that are becoming increasingly important as we get older. In the last presidential campaign, screenagers used the web as a way to participate in such a huge way. Many used it to support their political party or even merely to learn more about each individual on the campaign trail. President Obama and his team strategically used the internet to connect with the younger generation because, lets face it, nowadays children aren't meant just to be seen, we are incorporating our own voices. With that being said, parents tend to listen and pay more attention to any particular candidate when their screenagers seem so enthusiastic about it. So in essence, the great WWW + the Net Generation = Great Innovation.