[Guest]

The BBC (Brittish TV company) have highlighted a report from USA about the advantages of spending time online. The full story can be found here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7740895.stm

Now before you go and then spend your time in front of your computer 24/7 the report does also highlight that too much time is a bad thing. It doesn't say why though.

[Izzy]

It's almost as if my self-proclaimed geekiness is worthwhile.

[Guest]

Personally I think it's an inappropriate view. Kids nowadays are losing a lot of social, physical and practical skills because they are using too much technology. I'd consider myself a geek so I'm not anti-technology, but there's so much more to life than the computer. When I was a kid, playgrounds were full of children chasing around or kicking a ball about. Now they're all sitting about texting each other (with nothing to say, I've no doubt: "what r u doin?" "not much, how bout u?" etc).

And yes there's lots of knowledge and opportunities for creativity to be had online. Also a lot of opportunities to fart about aimlessly for hours. I think it's a sad development. I'll be introducing my son to computers, but only as a tool. Not as a way to spend time.

[unreality]

I also disagree with the article... I never understand "Myspace" and "Facebook" and other "social networking sites". My friends sometimes sign me up for them (without my permission I might add ;D) and then I go on and there's like five million different dumb little things to do (especially on Facebook) and five zillion new messages. It's easy to see how you can get sucked in. Which is why I spend my online time on Brainden instead ;D I have really fast typing skills so I can log in, reply to what I need to, and get out ASAP. Unless I'm talking to friends on AIM or something, I like to spend as little time on the computer as possible.

**** Note: It's completely different when I'm hosting a Mafia game though Everything changes. My life becomes centered around the computer for those days, it's like my shrine ;D hehe

I agree with octopuppy... "in my day" (haha I feel so old ) elementary school consisted of recess, recess and more recess where kids would run around and have fun and actually talk to each other. Nowadays, 4th graders have phones!!

[peace*out]

Personally I think it's an inappropriate view. Kids nowadays are losing a lot of social, physical and practical skills because they are using too much technology. I'd consider myself a geek so I'm not anti-technology, but there's so much more to life than the computer. When I was a kid, playgrounds were full of children chasing around or kicking a ball about. Now they're all sitting about texting each other (with nothing to say, I've no doubt: "what r u doin?" "not much, how bout u?" etc).

And yes there's lots of knowledge and opportunities for creativity to be had online. Also a lot of opportunities to fart about aimlessly for hours. I think it's a sad development. I'll be introducing my son to computers, but only as a tool. Not as a way to spend time.

Im a 12 year old, so here's my veiw:

i dont use myspace and facebook, but i do use gmail to chat. I do not also have a phone (unreality), and im a 7th grader, 12-to-be-13-in-5-days years old. I do use gmail though, and brainden, and gmail is a social site, where i chat and talk with my friends! (which i happen to be doing right now.). When we are after school, we sit around and talk, but chat sites allow s to go on the computer, and talk when there is nothing else to do. IT's helpful for me because i go to school 30 minutes away, and other kids live 30 minutes away - in the other direction! The websites are fun and great for us who have just gotten on break, like me today! i can talk to my friends, and still be at my house, i can go outside whenever i want, and i can go on brainden at the same time!

Tell me if i do not make any sence...

I also disagree with the article... I never understand "Myspace" and "Facebook" and other "social networking sites". My friends sometimes sign me up for them (without my permission I might add ;D) and then I go on and there's like five million different dumb little things to do (especially on Facebook) and five zillion new messages. It's easy to see how you can get sucked in. Which is why I spend my online time on Brainden instead ;D I have really fast typing skills so I can log in, reply to what I need to, and get out ASAP. Unless I'm talking to friends on AIM or something, I like to spend as little time on the computer as possible.

**** Note: It's completely different when I'm hosting a Mafia game though Everything changes. My life becomes centered around the computer for those days, it's like my shrine ;D hehe

I agree with octopuppy... "in my day" (haha I feel so old ) elementary school consisted of recess, recess and more recess where kids would run around and have fun and actually talk to each other. Nowadays, 4th graders have phones!!

[unreality]

Oh, I email my buddies too - everyone uses email I thought it was talking about sites like facebook & myspace

[peace*out]

It, in my opinion, was talking about internet and computer - and was using MySpace and Facebook as examples.

[Guest]

I also disagree with the article... I never understand "Myspace" and "Facebook" and other "social networking sites". My friends sometimes sign me up for them (without my permission I might add ;D) and then I go on and there's like five million different dumb little things to do (especially on Facebook) and five zillion new messages. It's easy to see how you can get sucked in. Which is why I spend my online time on Brainden instead ;D I have really fast typing skills so I can log in, reply to what I need to, and get out ASAP. Unless I'm talking to friends on AIM or something, I like to spend as little time on the computer as possible.

**** Note: It's completely different when I'm hosting a Mafia game though Everything changes. My life becomes centered around the computer for those days, it's like my shrine ;D hehe

I agree with octopuppy... "in my day" (haha I feel so old ) elementary school consisted of recess, recess and more recess where kids would run around and have fun and actually talk to each other. Nowadays, 4th graders have phones!!

I've got both MySpace and Facebook, but I wouldn't say I'm addicted. I actually use it to talk to my friends. I get so annoyed with those people who have 500-600+ "friends" I'm like seriously? Do you even know 1/4 of them?

I'm alos on the computer all day, at least 8 hours. But that's for work. Hazards of being a Graphic Designer

And the 'in my day' comment had me cracking up. In my day we were stuck with IE and AOL 2.0, 56K (if you were lucky) connections, Super NIntendo, that GameBoy that was the size of a brick, and we also had recess. I remember giving myself a couple concussions flipping (attempting rather) off the monkey bars and such, oh and one when i took a soccer ball to the temple :|

[unreality]

haha I remember some kid broke part of his back on the zip line

edit: it's okay because he was laughing too ;D

Edited November 21, 2008 by unreality

[Guest]

Ah those were the days, broken backs, concussions, baggy trousers, dirty shirt, pulling hair and eating dirt. You just can't get that online. You see, the problem I have wi' t'interweb and all that is that it's designed to give you the illusion that it's all you need. You can have a complete life online. You can socialise, study, work, play, see the world and have a rich and full life all without leaving your chair (except when bodily functions absolutely demand it). And it's also designed to suck you in, with lots of links to wonderful cultural phenomena that you'll miss out on if you don't follow them up. Trub is, you're just sitting there like a spud staring at the screen. That's nothing like a full life. You've been had. The cake is a lie.

Not that I can preach, sitting here banging away at the keyboard when I've got so many better things to do. But, y'know, it's not good.

Come on people! Smash your computers! Let's go back to a pastoral existence!

[Izzy]

Hmm. Well, I do love being online, but I wouldn't say I'm addicted. About two years ago I wrote an essay on internet addiction among teens and young adults, and, even though it exists, it's pretty damn hard to be "addicted". Personally, I spend about as much time outside as I do online. I literally *just* came back from the playground in my neighborhood. (There's more kids there making out than online...) As long as it's used in moderation, the internet and all of technology is really, really awesome.

I quit Myspace about 2 years ago when I realized how much it sucked. Now I only go on it about once every few weeks to go into my friend's account and see if there's anything important I'm missing. I have a Facebook, but other than updating my status, I don't really do anything there. Yes, I know all my friends.

[Guest]

haha I remember some kid broke part of his back on the zip line

edit: it's okay because he was laughing too ;D

Wow, what a trooper for laughing at his own broken back....

Ah those were the days, broken backs, concussions, baggy trousers, dirty shirt, pulling hair and eating dirt. You just can't get that online. You see, the problem I have wi' t'interweb and all that is that it's designed to give you the illusion that it's all you need. You can have a complete life online. You can socialise, study, work, play, see the world and have a rich and full life all without leaving your chair (except when bodily functions absolutely demand it). And it's also designed to suck you in, with lots of links to wonderful cultural phenomena that you'll miss out on if you don't follow them up. Trub is, you're just sitting there like a spud staring at the screen. That's nothing like a full life. You've been had. The cake is a lie.

Not that I can preach, sitting here banging away at the keyboard when I've got so many better things to do. But, y'know, it's not good.

Come on people! Smash your computers! Let's go back to a pastoral existence!

Yeah you're definitely right octopuppy, can't get that online at all. I'll admit I'm a tech-junkie, I love technology, and I don't think I could ever permanently give it up. Of all my toys, I do think my cell phone is the most important, it's my only fully portable means of communication with the world. And I'll admit too that I've created several persona's on the net. Partially why I was drawn here, I can be myself and I'm just as odd as the next guy or girl or noseless avatar or the absence of reality

[Guest]

I would love to agree with you guys in saying that playgrounds are a better way to spend time....but in my school

A) there is no playground

B) Every grade 8 gets there own laptop

What example is this setting?

[Izzy]

Silverheart, I'm an 8th grader at a K-8 school. We have a playground for the little kids, but are forbidden from using it. I can't tell you how many times we've just snuck away at lunch to go eat food on top of the monkey bars. It's awesome.

You shouldn't let school norms set examples for you. Try writing a well written letter to the administration about how you/others need time to just chill during the day, and you should be able to get away with at least half an hour of recess. Unless you already have P.E., then it doesn't work..

[Guest]

Silverheart, I'm an 8th grader at a K-8 school. We have a playground for the little kids, but are forbidden from using it. I can't tell you how many times we've just snuck away at lunch to go eat food on top of the monkey bars. It's awesome.

You shouldn't let school norms set examples for you. Try writing a well written letter to the administration about how you/others need time to just chill during the day, and you should be able to get away with at least half an hour of recess. Unless you already have P.E., then it doesn't work..

We have PE and 2 recess's for breaks,

but we have nothing to do for the older kids, the boys usually hang out on the soccer field, but the balls are long gone form the littler kids...The girls in my grade just stand there in 2 feet of snow in our knee length skirts and discuss how unfair the world is....

And for PE...I'm not really a fan of fitness or basketball...so thats out personally for me

Edit: Personally the image there for me is, Have a laptop Now, put it down and go stand outside and do nothing in -4 degree's in skirts

If thats not pushing us/people towards the internet, then I don't know what is....besides some certain people's addiction to Brainden.....*pokes list of top 20 contributers....* Both Tiger and Kat were in the top Ten yesterday

Edited November 21, 2008 by Silverheart

[Izzy]

We have PE and 2 recess's for breaks

*cringe* ... *jealous*

We have P.E. Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, and Health on Tuesday and Thursdays. 3 minutes between classes (which is just enough time to make it to the next class on time), and 45 minutes for lunch. You can eat inside or outside, but only in certain areas. ...My friends and I kind of ignore that rule though. We always make an excuse that's like "...Erm. Well, I've got to go speak with [teacher] about my rude behavior in class today. So.. Yeah." One time we had a picnic (blanket and all ) on the soccer field, and some teacher came out, and was like "... And what do you guys think you're doing?" but we always just lie and say we have permission, and they never check.

But yeah, I want recess.

[Guest]

Aw, I miss Recess... But that's High School for you. We get to eat outside for lunch if we WANT...but it's winter...in Canada...who WANTS to eat outside? o_0 To be honest...I love my computer, I can't live without it...I don't know what I did without it before Grade Eight Basically Brainden and Msn is my life...it's probably really bad but its the truth

<(^-^)>

[Guest]

i do use the computer a lot but not really on Facebook or myspace or stuff. like i check them often but i dont spend hours messing with the bazillion gadgets and apps and what have you. hardly ever talk to people on msn, instant messaging isnt really my thing... unless im talking to someone interesting lol.

but i wouldnt go as far as saying that my comp is my life lol.

[Izzy]

Hmm, honestly though, it's better that teens are spending their time online rather than watching T.V. The only show I watch regularly is Family Guy, and the occasional Scrubs and House (but that's only because I have a thing for rather cocky doctors. )

[Guest]

When I was a kid, kids watching too much TV was the big worry. But TV doesn't suck you in nearly as much. With the internet, when you get bored of one thing you can always drive it off in a new direction. So it has all you need to keep occupied forever. TV's saving grace is it's limited appeal.

[Guest]

Aw, I miss Recess... But that's High School for you. We get to eat outside for lunch if we WANT...but it's winter...in Canada...who WANTS to eat outside? o_0 To be honest...I love my computer, I can't live without it...I don't know what I did without it before Grade Eight Basically Brainden and Msn is my life...it's probably really bad but its the truth

<(^-^)>

There are 3 types of weather in my state:

1)Rain

2)More rain

3)Snow

Most people at my school eat outside because, it's outside. Being outside is better than being inside! (way more things to do )

Back to the topic

I believe that all schools, kindergarten thru 12th grade should be able to go outside at least once a day for their own good.

Edit:Rambling....

Edited November 24, 2008 by RainThinker

[Guest]

There are 3 types of weather in my state:

1)Rain

2)More rain

3)Snow

Most people at my school eat outside because, it's outside. Being outside is better than being inside! (way more things to do )

Back to the topic

I believe that all schools, kindergarten thru 12th grade should be able to go outside at least once a day for their own good.

Edit:Rambling....

Yeah, well it's nice in the summer...but I don't go to school then, otherwise it's cold...or rainy...or snowly...stupid Canada <_< We don't even have gym until next semester, which is January...brr!

<(^-^)>

[Guest]

There are 3 types of weather in my state:

1)Rain

2)More rain

3)Snow

Most people at my school eat outside because, it's outside. Being outside is better than being inside! (way more things to do )

Back to the topic

I believe that all schools, kindergarten thru 12th grade should be able to go outside at least once a day for their own good.

Edit:Rambling....

Is that why your called RainThinker? You do tend to be a bit cold at times as well

Well, i live in arizona, hot as hell here. Some of us eat in, others out, just depends where you sit. I also have an outdoor campus.... meaning it's not one giant building, just alot of little small ones for different subjects. Honestly, if i was outside....... i wouldnt do anything. To hot and nothing to do.