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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