Unnecessary moral panic starts at every turn these days and it takes nothing more than a random article or a flash of an edited out of context video clip on the 5 o'clock news to get viewers quickly jumping on the band wagon in a frantic frenzy to control the unknown. Frankly, its surprising how much can be exaggerated at every turn with little to no proof. The game of telephone between humans often called fatalists feed never ending cycles of madness that seem to increase as technology (and our lifestyle) changes to provide us with easier access to resources unavailable to the past generation.
The most prevalent target of these moral panics? Why, the "anti-social youth of america" and their "technological addiction" of course!
With the current 9% unemployment rate (worst than the great depression with 6%) and over 50% of young adults unable to afford college or get adequate student loan money. Families everywhere are having to deal with new problematical situations like "boomerang kids" and even their own bankruptcy as a result of a failed economy. Yet the older generation expect teenagers to put their value in the same level of education when they see a homeless man on the cold streets holding a sign that says "I have a doctorates degree, will work for food and shelter".
Those from under privileged or from low income and struggling families express a far greater concern for strong social connections, as not only a means for future survival in an uncertain world, but as a coping mechanism during the emotional turmoil that such a life inevitably presents.
This is not to say that all have turned a blind eye to the obvious plight of today's youth. But unfortunately too many are quick to create an easy scapegoat out of this generation's "obsession" with daily expression and communication, for every unrelated issue that they can stretch towards it.
Opposing popular belief, recent studies in publications like CNN and LA Times have shown social media and its constant IM's and "instagrams" to have had a positive influence rather than a negative. It has created up and coming adults who are actually better at socializing in person and have healthier mindset offline than those who do not tweet and text. The activities thought to create hermits and basement dwellers who shirk reality, instead transferred over into more extensive face to face conversational skills, helping teens connect and relate while grasping their own individuality, sense of self, and security in relationships.
The concern of privacy protection is becoming less of an issue as customized safety settings and privacy locks become more secure and commonly used, allowing only friends to view pages and posts.
Even aside from cyber bullies, let us not forget how many suicides have been
prevented with increased human connection online. Researchers at Brigham Young University found that teens and adults normally afraid to come out with their depression, suicidal tendencies, and thoughts of self harm were able to reach out for help on facebook or twitter, receiving positive life saving responses of care and empathy in return. Simple posts asking users to "tag a friend you love" or "pass on to someone to you can't live without" give hope to those who would otherwise feel isolated.
As history has shown in its repetitive cycle, advances in human knowledge and ability have and will always be met with fear by those who do not understand it. At one time woman who practiced herbal medicine were burned at the stake for being witches, and scientists were imprisoned for having the audacity to believe the earth could orbit around the sun or be anything other than flat.
Today our world continues to face consequences of persecution for those who dare to go forward with a new way of thinking and living. But history repeats. And we always end up looking back, amazed at the ridiculous things we worried about in the past.
By Angelina Paige
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