Comments on: Is the Internet rewiring our kids’ brains? http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:01:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: grow-hair-faster http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html/comment-page-3#comment-64474 grow-hair-faster Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:38:22 +0000 http://sync.ymbn.net/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html#comment-64474 The report was covered in the New Scientist where the reporter boiled the conclusion of the report down in a rather histrionic tone: “the internet has actually been the victim of some sort of vicious smear campaign.” The report was covered in the New Scientist where the reporter boiled the conclusion of the report down in a rather histrionic tone: “the internet has actually been the victim of some sort of vicious smear campaign.”

]]> By: Mama, Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Bloggers http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html/comment-page-3#comment-22663 Mama, Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Bloggers Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:18:01 +0000 http://sync.ymbn.net/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html#comment-22663 [...] finally, instead of all the negative crap we hear about sexting, bullying on Facebook and how technology is hurting their brains, here’s an example of how technology can positively affect kids. I know the media loves to [...] [...] finally, instead of all the negative crap we hear about sexting, bullying on Facebook and how technology is hurting their brains, here’s an example of how technology can positively affect kids. I know the media loves to [...]

]]> By: real_name http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html/comment-page-3#comment-9196 real_name Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:46:01 +0000 http://sync.ymbn.net/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html#comment-9196 <p>I noticed something about the comments so far. Most of the teenagers and below are all using their real names and even mentioning their ages. what does that have to do with the story? these kids are still yet to learn about how you reveal your identity online. You might think you're smart 'cos you can solve maths, handle computers and do anything.<br /> If you're in a totally different world, can you last for a day? Being smart isn't just about getting good grades in school. It's all about dealing with issues. The only real issues most of you have includes internet running slow, your bus didn't arrive on time and other minor issues. The real issues involves survival. If there's no internet for a week and there's no power and the bus isn't running, can you survive?</p> I noticed something about the comments so far. Most of the teenagers and below are all using their real names and even mentioning their ages. what does that have to do with the story? these kids are still yet to learn about how you reveal your identity online. You might think you're smart 'cos you can solve maths, handle computers and do anything.
If you're in a totally different world, can you last for a day? Being smart isn't just about getting good grades in school. It's all about dealing with issues. The only real issues most of you have includes internet running slow, your bus didn't arrive on time and other minor issues. The real issues involves survival. If there's no internet for a week and there's no power and the bus isn't running, can you survive?

]]> By: trevor http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html/comment-page-3#comment-9195 trevor Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:51:53 +0000 http://sync.ymbn.net/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html#comment-9195 <p>@ msp: you list a number of things that should be defined by "common sense" (IE DDT, eating fast food, etc.). and yet, ALL of those things you listed were used (irrespective of what "common sense" should dictate, by your standards") as completely normal and beneficial things. then, they did studies. they did experiments. they found out that there was harm. they put the studies out, lobbied for change, and eventually got that change they wanted (at least in most areas; if i remember correctly, africa still uses DDT to try and control mosquitos). </p> <p>this is the proper process for effecting change following the scientific process.</p> <p>as i said in a previous post, anyone can assert anything they want. it certainly doesn't make it true. the sky is not blue, it's pink. the grass is not green, it's purple. the sea is made of milk chocolate. none of them true, but if i had a strong enough viewpoint (or was mentally ill enough) to truly believe it, i could assert any of those things.</p> <p>"common sense" is not always common, nor does it always make sense.</p> @ msp: you list a number of things that should be defined by "common sense" (IE DDT, eating fast food, etc.). and yet, ALL of those things you listed were used (irrespective of what "common sense" should dictate, by your standards") as completely normal and beneficial things. then, they did studies. they did experiments. they found out that there was harm. they put the studies out, lobbied for change, and eventually got that change they wanted (at least in most areas; if i remember correctly, africa still uses DDT to try and control mosquitos).

this is the proper process for effecting change following the scientific process.

as i said in a previous post, anyone can assert anything they want. it certainly doesn't make it true. the sky is not blue, it's pink. the grass is not green, it's purple. the sea is made of milk chocolate. none of them true, but if i had a strong enough viewpoint (or was mentally ill enough) to truly believe it, i could assert any of those things.

"common sense" is not always common, nor does it always make sense.

]]> By: ziztor http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html/comment-page-3#comment-9194 ziztor Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:26:56 +0000 http://sync.ymbn.net/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html#comment-9194 <p>I haven't seen any research on the effect of technology on children, so I can't make many assumptions here. The internet is here to stay, I'm sure, forever. And seeing as humans are continuosly evolving creatures, our new technology will forever leave impacts, both good and bad. There will always be people for the technology and people against it, becuase there's no black-and-white answer. I beleive almost anything used sensibly and in moderation can't be that bad, like the Internet. Parents are the ones responsible for their children, (always been that way) it's their responsibility to monitor and cut back their children's computer time.The internet can be a bad thing, if we let it be. It can leave negative or positive influences, and I think the consequences Greenfield claims could be entirely possible. Or not. I'm no scientist. And whether you need proof to beleive it or not, it's gonna take solid proof to change things. Hopefully we don't find out too late. But if you make scientific claims with no evidence, no doubt you're going to get raised eyebrows. I would like to hear more from Greenfield, with something, to show why she would beleive this. I would write more, but i'm so tired right now! I myself don't like Facebook or any social networking sites, so I can't relate to that stuff. But if my real-life friends hadn't made any friends through real-life social interacting, they would have very few friends online. People learn to talk before they can type, right? Anyways, I'm just a 14-yr-old computer addict. I still have a lot about life I am gonna learn.^.^ probably should spend less time on the computer (heh heh) sorry about the spelling mistakes :)</p> I haven't seen any research on the effect of technology on children, so I can't make many assumptions here. The internet is here to stay, I'm sure, forever. And seeing as humans are continuosly evolving creatures, our new technology will forever leave impacts, both good and bad. There will always be people for the technology and people against it, becuase there's no black-and-white answer. I beleive almost anything used sensibly and in moderation can't be that bad, like the Internet. Parents are the ones responsible for their children, (always been that way) it's their responsibility to monitor and cut back their children's computer time.The internet can be a bad thing, if we let it be. It can leave negative or positive influences, and I think the consequences Greenfield claims could be entirely possible. Or not. I'm no scientist. And whether you need proof to beleive it or not, it's gonna take solid proof to change things. Hopefully we don't find out too late. But if you make scientific claims with no evidence, no doubt you're going to get raised eyebrows. I would like to hear more from Greenfield, with something, to show why she would beleive this. I would write more, but i'm so tired right now! I myself don't like Facebook or any social networking sites, so I can't relate to that stuff. But if my real-life friends hadn't made any friends through real-life social interacting, they would have very few friends online. People learn to talk before they can type, right? Anyways, I'm just a 14-yr-old computer addict. I still have a lot about life I am gonna learn.^.^ probably should spend less time on the computer (heh heh) sorry about the spelling mistakes :)

]]> By: Shawn http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html/comment-page-3#comment-9193 Shawn Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:16:07 +0000 http://sync.ymbn.net/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html#comment-9193 <p>As a young student 2 years into an Engineering degree, I certainly have to agree with some comments here. Others, I would respectfully challenge.</p> <p>I agree that the Baroness presenting her bold opinions "offer[ing] no evidence whatsoever" is somewhat insane; although, let us remember the source of the information we've been given in this article and the obvious bias of the author. The Baroness can not reasonably expect any scientific mind to conclude her statements are true without any data to back them up.</p> <p>However, I don't think we can stand here and discredit her ideas entirely either. Just because she doesn't have a study yet doesn't automatically make her wrong. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if a study were to show that children raised on text-messages and facebook have shorter attention spans and shorter patience then those who are not. I look forward to this study.</p> <p>And, not to be rude, but while having a genius kid who was raised on video games and computers is wonderful, and something to be proud of (I'd be telling the world how wonderful she was if she was mine), it doesn't really disprove what I *believe* the Baroness was really trying to say.</p> <p>I'm going to go out on a limb here and extrapolate what I believe the Baroness may have meant. It isn't impossible to be brilliant if you use computers. You can learn a lot from the internet, I certainly have. But childhood, all the way into young adulthood, is an important time for learning. Be totally honest with yourself: what percentage of the time you spend on the internet is productive? I'd have to come clean at probably around 30%. Reading news that doesn't really affect me, typing out long-winded replies that no-one will read, playing Earth 2025 and facebooking are things I don't really consider productive. I imagine for children, this percentage is even lower. All that time that they essentially waste on the internet could be spent developing some other real world skill.</p> <p>You know what? Even the time writing this is suddenly making me feel like I'm wasting my life. I apologize for not completing the persuasive arc I was building. Maybe somebody else can do it for me. I'm going to go learn a new song on my guitar. Not guitar hero... a real guitar.</p> As a young student 2 years into an Engineering degree, I certainly have to agree with some comments here. Others, I would respectfully challenge.

I agree that the Baroness presenting her bold opinions "offer[ing] no evidence whatsoever" is somewhat insane; although, let us remember the source of the information we've been given in this article and the obvious bias of the author. The Baroness can not reasonably expect any scientific mind to conclude her statements are true without any data to back them up.

However, I don't think we can stand here and discredit her ideas entirely either. Just because she doesn't have a study yet doesn't automatically make her wrong. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if a study were to show that children raised on text-messages and facebook have shorter attention spans and shorter patience then those who are not. I look forward to this study.

And, not to be rude, but while having a genius kid who was raised on video games and computers is wonderful, and something to be proud of (I'd be telling the world how wonderful she was if she was mine), it doesn't really disprove what I *believe* the Baroness was really trying to say.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and extrapolate what I believe the Baroness may have meant. It isn't impossible to be brilliant if you use computers. You can learn a lot from the internet, I certainly have. But childhood, all the way into young adulthood, is an important time for learning. Be totally honest with yourself: what percentage of the time you spend on the internet is productive? I'd have to come clean at probably around 30%. Reading news that doesn't really affect me, typing out long-winded replies that no-one will read, playing Earth 2025 and facebooking are things I don't really consider productive. I imagine for children, this percentage is even lower. All that time that they essentially waste on the internet could be spent developing some other real world skill.

You know what? Even the time writing this is suddenly making me feel like I'm wasting my life. I apologize for not completing the persuasive arc I was building. Maybe somebody else can do it for me. I'm going to go learn a new song on my guitar. Not guitar hero… a real guitar.

]]> By: Dani http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html/comment-page-3#comment-9192 Dani Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:43:55 +0000 http://sync.ymbn.net/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html#comment-9192 <p>"I don't care who or what Susan Greenfield is. I won't believe a word of this article unless there is real evidence that backs up this thesis."<br /> I totally agree with you! If susan thinks(or if the world thinks) Shes such an amazing scientist, then why cant she give us evidence? Seriously, there might be people in this world that we think are so great, but when we take a step back, they're so wrong. And we all followed along because we were too busy loving them to think of the reason why we loved them so much. I mean, YES people are going to make claims about the internet and such since this is a fairly new generation of kids who use technology. But that doesnt give them the right to just assume the worst and say this kind of stuff!! This could all just simply be Susans opnion on this stuff.</p> "I don't care who or what Susan Greenfield is. I won't believe a word of this article unless there is real evidence that backs up this thesis."
I totally agree with you! If susan thinks(or if the world thinks) Shes such an amazing scientist, then why cant she give us evidence? Seriously, there might be people in this world that we think are so great, but when we take a step back, they're so wrong. And we all followed along because we were too busy loving them to think of the reason why we loved them so much. I mean, YES people are going to make claims about the internet and such since this is a fairly new generation of kids who use technology. But that doesnt give them the right to just assume the worst and say this kind of stuff!! This could all just simply be Susans opnion on this stuff.

]]> By: Kathleen http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html/comment-page-3#comment-9191 Kathleen Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:34:44 +0000 http://sync.ymbn.net/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html#comment-9191 <p>I think that this scientist is exagerating.<br /> If you look at us kids (im 13) these days, we DO have a social life outside of school. And we like to talk and stuff on Facebook and MSN! I think that some parents are too strict when it comes to monitoring their childs internet stuffs. And the internet is an amazing thing!- but this scientist is taking it to the extreme! Shes making it sound like internet and video games are TERRIBLE!! Well ill tell you, they're NOT they can be useful and fun and such when used in the right way. This is the modern kids version of fun. GET USED TO IT AND STOP MAKING SUCH A BIG DEAL ABOUT IT!!! ESPCIALLY WHEN YOU HAVENT SHOWN EVIDENCE AND SUCH THAT IT DOES INFACT SERIOUSLY HARM YOU!!! GOSH PEOPLE! WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO!?!?!</p> I think that this scientist is exagerating.
If you look at us kids (im 13) these days, we DO have a social life outside of school. And we like to talk and stuff on Facebook and MSN! I think that some parents are too strict when it comes to monitoring their childs internet stuffs. And the internet is an amazing thing!- but this scientist is taking it to the extreme! Shes making it sound like internet and video games are TERRIBLE!! Well ill tell you, they're NOT they can be useful and fun and such when used in the right way. This is the modern kids version of fun. GET USED TO IT AND STOP MAKING SUCH A BIG DEAL ABOUT IT!!! ESPCIALLY WHEN YOU HAVENT SHOWN EVIDENCE AND SUCH THAT IT DOES INFACT SERIOUSLY HARM YOU!!! GOSH PEOPLE! WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO!?!?!

]]> By: Themistocles http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html/comment-page-3#comment-9190 Themistocles Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:24:57 +0000 http://sync.ymbn.net/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html#comment-9190 <p>Dude, that's not helping our case here. Let her know she's wrong, don't swear at her. There's a good chance you'll be like her when you're a parent and your kids are using God knows what for entertainment. </p> Dude, that's not helping our case here. Let her know she's wrong, don't swear at her. There's a good chance you'll be like her when you're a parent and your kids are using God knows what for entertainment.

]]> By: Griffin http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html/comment-page-3#comment-9189 Griffin Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:17:52 +0000 http://sync.ymbn.net/sync/2009/02/is-the-internet-rewiring-our-kids-brains.html#comment-9189 <p>Hey sylvia moore, i am 18 years old and am currently in my first year at college and this is just my opinion. I think you should learn how to formulate F***in a sentence before you decide to take a shot at my generation.</p> <p>Quote:<br /> "just listen to them talk sounds like a 2 year old.and look into there eyes.that tell the story"</p> <p>You sound like an idiot!</p> <p>And to all the people out there who said:<br /> "They think everything is a joke and they know the answers to everything"<br /> you were just like that as a kid to, so quit pretending you were better than us!</p> <p>sylvia moore, you take shots at children using technology because you are probably to stupid to use it yourself!</p> Hey sylvia moore, i am 18 years old and am currently in my first year at college and this is just my opinion. I think you should learn how to formulate F***in a sentence before you decide to take a shot at my generation.

Quote:
"just listen to them talk sounds like a 2 year old.and look into there eyes.that tell the story"

You sound like an idiot!

And to all the people out there who said:
"They think everything is a joke and they know the answers to everything"
you were just like that as a kid to, so quit pretending you were better than us!

sylvia moore, you take shots at children using technology because you are probably to stupid to use it yourself!

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