Thoughts on the Pew Report

In "Dr. Terri and the Academic Road," the question is asked: "I read this posting about a study that came out at the turn of the  year on Internet use? Do you agree with the author? Do you think that children's internet use could be compared to adults?"

See: John C. Dvorak's review at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2374493,00.asp

See: Generations Online in 2010 report at http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1831/generations-online-2010

After considering the data in the Pew Report, I would have to say that I disagree with Dvorak's statement that the Pew report is simply a reflection of maturity than computer savvy. I think the numbers are so much more evident for the Millenial generation simply because home computers and the wireless age has been in existence for their entire lifespan. Older generations simply have not had the life experience in a wireless and internet-driven world to justify intense internet-usage. Dvorak states that the report is just a reflection of maturity, however, Dvorak seems to leave out the fact that younger generations will by definition have more access, experience, and reliance on technology and the internet. Change is hard, and as one ages, change becomes harder. The fact that older generations are picking up on internet usage shows that change is possible yet slow for those in older generations. The younger generation, Millenials, as they are called, has not only grown up with the internet but has also lived in a world that has been redefined by the internet and wireless technology, as new applications are being added regularly across many different disciplines and areas of life.

Also, I do not think that children's internet use could be compred to adult's internet use simply because of the difference in needs being met by the internet. The children of today are growing up in a world surrounded by technology. Using Google to find information is seemingly natural and logical, while an "encyclopedia" may be an item of wonderment. Adults are still learning and changing with the new technology and its applications while children see the internet and technology as natural, logical, and preexisting. It is hard for children to imagine a world without computers and the internet. Since the internet and technology is so integrated into the lives of children, naturally they would be more adept at its applications to daily life than adults. Due to this fact, the use of the internet is unfairly compared when children and adults are compared.

What do you think?