High school round table Teens and technology

What is high-tech's effect on the high school crowd?

By Raven J. Railey
Special to The Courier-Journal
Sunday, June 18, 2006
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060618/ 
FEATURES/606180303

Thirty years ago, families were playing tennis on Pong, a company  
called Apple was experimenting with the first mass-marketed personal  
computers, and the newly invented portable cell phone couldn't be  
sold because there was no wireless network.

Can you hear me now?

The [Atlanata] Courier-Journal's 2005-06 High School Round Table  
recently examined the impact such new inventions have had in their  
lives. The round table is a tradition that dates to 1983. This year's  
members were chosen from more than 200 applicants.

Many of today's teens take for granted the ability to connect with  
their friends 24-7 -- by cell phone, text messaging and the newest  
social Web site, MySpace (www.myspace.com), they said.

Technology allows them to connect with their peers and teachers more  
conveniently, but it also raises new dangers when adults misrepresent  
themselves online.

And these days it isn't just jeans or tennis shoe brands that set  
kids apart from their more affluent peers. Some feel pressured to own  
the latest iPod, cell phone or other high-tech gadget.

Some panelists worried about being too dependent on technology to the  
detriment of face-to-face relationships or physical exercise. One  
member who confessed she had a "problem" continued text messaging  
throughout the recent round table discussion.

Here are excerpts of their talk:

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