Growing Up Tethered: Technology's Grip on Teens

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Growing Up Tethered Are young adults too connected to technology? Does it interfere with our everyday routine? In the article Growing Up Tethered, Sherry Turkle, argues that teens as well as older adults are consumed with the daily need for phones to be in hand with constant connection. Turkle questioned many teens about their constant connection to their phones, or with their online interactions dealing with everyday experiences one person may have throughout the day. Some of the teens include high school students that explain their constant need for being connected at all time and “I’m waiting to be interrupted right now,” (Turkle 430) sense of mind. In the article it also explain that high school students tend to put themselves in a dangerous …show more content…

Julia and Claudia mentioned in the article feel that when they use their phones to text their friends about exciting or upsetting news the feel comfort from their friends. Julia says that if she feels upset she instantly texts her friends and wait for one of them to respond instantly, but if it has been too long she will text someone else. As a society wrapped up in technology teens need the constant support the friends they are connected to, to feel complete in their everyday lifestyle. This feels like the only way to stay connected with people that teens do not see every day. The article talks about one specific virtual reality online game, The Sims Online, which Katherine uses to create her expectation of what her life could be like. Turkle talks about how this virtual world helps Katherine see what could be different in her life. Turkle asks, “If her activities in the game lead her to do anything differently with her life.” (Turkle 437) The game is mentioned to help Katherine, “See her life anew” (Turkle 437) which changes how teens feel the need to imagine their lives

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