Throughout this semester, I have blogged about how technology is ruining interpersonal relationships. What I haven't written about is interpersonal relationships with children and how technology might be affecting them.Webkinz, which are similar to stuffed and plush toys, except they come with a secret code. This secret code that is printed on the specific toy provided access to a virtual "webkinz" world. Children can input this code on the webkinz site and have a virtual version of their toy and have a virtual life for them. They virtually "adopt" this stuffed creature and control its life online.
Webkinz have their own economy online, where users receive money called kinzcash by playing different games, adopting new pets and other daily activities allow opportunities to accrue this virtual money. Once the users accrue enough money, they can use it in the "W" shop, where they buy different accessories, food, clothing, and even furniture for their virtual houses.
Goldfarming comes to mind when reading about the W shop and the virtual kinzcash. Some of these kids that play in this virtual world spends hours trying to adopt different pets and creating different home and environments for their adopted friends. Although they are not trading this virtual cash for real money, they are using to buy more useless things online for their toys. Parents are worried about their kids who spend to much time siting that they are afriad their child will become addicted to this game. An innocent stuffed animal or a ploy to get the younger generation using internet?
Although our generation is becoming more accustomed to and dependent on technology, is it safe for children under the age of ten to also become dependent? At a young age, will their communication skills and interpersonal relationships suffer from an innocent stuffed animal?
I believe these children will become reliant on the internet not only for their virtual friends, but also in the future. If they learn how to use the internet at such a young age, think of the different applications and technologies they will become accustomed to by the time they are teenagers. Virtual reality and pets are not only replacing face to face interaction, but also toys! Children rather play on the internet than play with a barbie or g.i. joe.
I wouldn't be surprised if sometime in the future, toy stores will be completely replaced by the interenet, where children only order and buy toys from online. They might not even need a toy to satisfy them if they can play with them online. We will have to wait and see. I will make sure to give my kids an insane amount of toys in the future to keep them away from the internet until they are at least 13 ;)
The internet is creating a divide even amongst our young ones. Youth are learning at younger ages how to operate computers and applications that are designed for their use. Web 2.0 is being designed for the youth and Webkinz is one of the bigger developments for youth to get onto the internet. Children are not going outside, playing with friends or finishing chores and homework because of this new distraction that is given for them to use. Parents might see this as a new method to keep the kids busy and out of their hair, but if its going to be used it needs to be monitored. The heavy use of new media for children is dividing them from their friends and social relationships that they should be developing in their youth. Also it is affecting their health. Instead of going outside to play and exert their energy, it is building up and children are becoming overweight. Though children are learning how to operate new media which can help them learn better, regulation set by parents needs to be set, so that the issues of health and social relationships are addressed and do not become a large issue.
ReplyDeleteI think kids should learn how to use technology at a young age. I think it will help them as they grow, especially with the rapid growth of technology. This however I think is going a little far. Not only is this taking away from time kids should be spending outside with friends, but allowing overaccess to the internet and preying on the wants of young children.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it might be seen as a way to keep kids busy. I feel that is bad on the parents part though because if kids will get online to this with stuffed animals, what else are they doing online while the parents are not watching. It is too easy to get sidetracked or spell something wrong on the internet and go to a site kids should not be on. I think this is an issue to be taken care of by parents. they need to monitor their children, or limit their time on the internet. This is how an internet addiction can be formed, and at such a young age is just bad.