Do you think teens spend too much time in front of electronic media?

No, I don’t. In the Victorian age, there was a lot of talk about the youth of the day spending too much time reading novels. One thing that doesn’t change is that some people are afraid what’s new. That doesn’t make it go away.

Only teens?

Yes.

Yeah only teens.

YES! My oldest daughter has her own laptop, so she’s in her room doing something on it! As with my twins girls, they are pretty much always on it. But I don’t permit them to watch tv on weekdays, because I would rather have them on the computer if anything, than slouched in front of the tv. But that’s just me. I don’t think they’re spending too much time, but they’re spending most of their time.

Yes, of course. I think Americans (and not only teens) are becoming too reliant on technology. Nobody goes to the library and picks up a book anymore.
The first resource they rely on when it comes to finding information is the Internet.
Like, “hey dude you should Google it and find out!”
It’s not a bad thing, but it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a book or another non-technological resource once in a while. I know how critical it is to use technology nowadays since machine is now replacing man in the working field, but it’s like the world forgot there were other resources out there that can be used.
Teens abusing electronic media nowadays could be one explanation towards why some of their literary skills are lacking…

well excuse me…I meant not only Americans…others around the world also!

No, we don’t :]
But isn’t this the future? it’s our entertainment now, where we get access to everything, phones, computers, iPods, games.
Teens in the…1800’s probably spent too much time doing something else too.

Too much time for what?

Physical health? Probably.

Mental health? Not so sure.

Education? Absolutely not!

My mom says I spend too much time online, but since we have lice and I can’t go anywhere, I would think it’d be fine for me to be online as much as I am so that I can talk to people outside my family.
@eLenaLicious I’m 13 and I love going to the library to get books I can read just for fun. Maybe I’m a nerd, but I would think plenty of kids read for fun.

to much time on the computer, tv, phones and ect.

No. And I’m sure adults spend just as much time with electronic media. We’re in 2010. This is like complaining about driving vehicles and not riding horses everywhere we go.

officals have said that teens have been spending more than 17 hours on electronic media each day.

@Phury908 17 hours?! That seems extreme. Does that include ipods, listening to music while you do other things? I do that. But 17 hours infront of a screen? that seems weird.

yes that includes listening to music while doing other things. officals have also said thet teens do not get the sleep they should be getting because they stay up all night texting.

@ChocolateReigns that’s great! I don’t see you as a nerd for that. I also go the library when I can. Just so I can do my home work in peace.
If others call you a nerd for that, just ignore them. At least you know how to spell your own name. You’re the one who will get ahead in life.

Not just in front of a screen too, it can include texting, on the computer, watching tv, and just listening to music.

Only because thats the day an’ age we live in…

Sitting for hours in front of a computer for work, school or entertainment is the way it today, like it or not. I’m no kid, and I do it seven days a week. But constantly talking or texting or playing games on a cell phone or other electronic device in public places (even book stores, where people DO still read quietly), walking on busy public sidewalks, streets and parking lots, and worst of all, behind the wheel – in most cases, oblivious to the world around them—THAT’S too much.

@Austinlad agreed. I do not sympathize teens that die especially when it is because of texting or playing around with electronic devices behind the wheel. That is beyond stupidity.
That is probably one of the many stupidest ways to die. A little texting, calling, and computer here and there is alright; but there has to be some boundaries. It ticks me off seeing teens text while crossing the street! And ticks me off even more when they are taking their time.

I think we probably all do.

@eLenaLicious I sympathise strongly with parents of “teens that die especially when it is because of texting or playing around with electronic devices behind the wheel”

i’m 17 and i know for a fact that i spend too much time in front of a computer. i don’t necessarily think it’s all bad; i learn what feels like a lot more from the internet, i talk to people i actually want to talk to, etc. but i do try to spend less time on it. i’m not really into any other technology besides the computer. i hardly ever answer my phone, i only text when i’m bored, and the only time i watch television is when project runway is on, or when i feel like watching the golden girls.

of course, i absolutely do not think it’s only teenagers. lately i’ve been watching the cars around me while i’m on my way home from school, and it boggles my mind how many people – adults, no less – i see that turn their heads down as soon as the light turns red to fiddle around with their goddamn phones.

Come to think about it, these days, Americans are getting dumber. I don’t know if this is going to offend anyone, but it’s what I strongly believe. The generations come down to lower level. They don’t work as hard, they are just lazy. I think that having computers, may be exciting and uplifting, but is it really necessary if you’re just going to the online calculator to do the math for you? No. It just shows your incompetence and inability to get off your butt and do something yourself, or use your brain. We don’t need computers to do the math for us. I think that with the newer and newer technologies, and improvements, it’s only made each generation dumber, lazier, and more incompetent. This is how I feel about texting too. When I see teens, and others, all they do is look down and text each other responding to my questions with “Yeah” or “Uh huh”. It really annoys how these technologies are providing less work to people and less of a “struggle” these days. The technology, amazing, but really..do we actually need these things? Sure, touch screen computers and voice animated hoozy-whats its are created. Is this really doing anything good for us? Or is it just ,making our lives easier?

On average, yes.

yes they do i know i am a teen