Introduction
Humankind has entered the age where computers do everything from taxes to math problems even sending emails to family members, many people have gotten to the point where their entire lives are governed by computers or the function of computers; the biggest aspect of this is children being born in the digital age and are being raised on computers or how to use them in non-ideal ways.
Although computers are responsible for making life easier for people across the world, it has been noted that people have grown too dependent on computers to do what they used to do ten, fifteen or twenty years ago such as teaching a lecture in class, using computers to teach someone how to cook as well as provide gaming recreation.
Another aspect of this is people use computers to check different accounts online, it has gotten to the point where people do not even have to leave their homes; computers are used these days to order food online and have it delivered to the home. It can be argued that using computers to perform these tasks are a necessary evil in order for society to keep functioning and the people in it do not get left behind on the times, the computer age has done wonders for society especially for children who are homeschooled.
This overdependence on computers have come to rule people’s lives, so the question here is, are we too dependent on computers, the answer is an emphatic, yes!
Too dependent Argument #1
People’s overdependence on computers have reached an all-time high, education is an example of this. Children get bullied at school and principals as well as other education professionals would quell the unrest by disciplining the bully and giving them a time out. Nowadays, people are homeschooling their children through computer technology; the child does not have to leave the house to go school. Parents can just walk a few feet to their computer, type in a username and password; the child can go to school on their computer.
This option has made parents who are afraid of their child getting bullied fear for their children’s future less while ensuring that their child is getting the education that is expected of them. Carr states, “that computers have practically made humans seem obsolete, they are doing everything from homeschooling children to allowing professional gamblers to gamble without going to a casino” (Carr, 2015).
People have grown to overly dependent on computers to do the jobs that people should be doing themselves, gaming systems is another example of this. On a typical gaming system, people were only restricted to playing video games only. Video game consoles in the present day has given people the power and accessibility of being able to go on Facebook, check their bank accounts etc. Skinner reports, “That laptops in the classroom have made it so children do not have to directly pay attention to the teachers, the computer is their teacher, the educator” (Skinner, 100, 1997).
Too dependent argument #2
Another aspect of this argument of being too dependent on computers is recreation time or how free time is spent, an example of this is using video game consoles such as the PS3 and PS4 to send messages over the internet so they do not have to leave the house. Skinner reports, “people’s overdependence on computers have caused their children to adopt a lazy streak that keeps them from being responsible” (Skinner, 103, 2012). People are buying these gaming systems that can do everything for their children, people have gotten to the point where they do not have to go to a currency exchange or even their bank to cash their paycheck; it is all done electronically. Skinner states, “people’s overdependence on their computers will be an adjustment that they will not be able to do without, people have grown too dependent on their computers to do everything even manage money and anything else that they need to do” (Skinner, 104, 2012).
Computers have also given people the ability to work from home so they do not have to leave their house to make money, people have become too overly dependent on this because of the lack of employment opportunities, but also technology has made computers the overlords of society where people cannot function without their computer. Skinner reports, “Obesity has skyrocketed tremendously due to people’s lack of physical activity and their dependence on their computer, computers have become the ruin of the future not to mention of children (Skinner, 105, 2012).
There were times when parents used to encourage their children to go play outside, parents now have to unplug or show the power off in the house in order to get their children outside; this overdependence on computers has terribly affected the world’s children as well. People do not even have conversations, it is all done on the computer.
Too dependent-Argument 3
Computers have made it so people can do things that might have seemed necessary before such as dating, computers have made it so people can look for a partner online instead of going out to places to meet people. Waldrops argues, “Computers are making exercise a thing of the past, people finding other people through causal meetings is done on the computer through false dating profiles” (Waldrop, 14, 1993).
People’s need for companionship has been completely eradicated due to the fact that computers can now be used to keep people at a distance. Waldrops reports, “home computers used to be purchased by parents for their home use, they are now buying it for their children to play video games on which is a waste of technology” (Waldrop, 14, 1993).
Computers have made it so people get where they are going via GPS, a computer navigational machine used to guide people to places. Waldrop states, “Small computer machines such as iPods have made people dependent on it by allowing people to sync their music to it instead of going to an opera or a music festival like the old days” (Waldrop, 14, 1993).
Computers guide children’s learning process, math and science projects were the epitome of greatness during childhood; teachers were able to teach children through those projects. Nowadays, computers rule and guide children’s learning. Waldrop reports, “More and more children are becoming dependent on computers to teach them everything and there is no going back” (Waldrop, 14, 1993).
In conclusion, people have come to be too dependent on computers because it has become known as the easy way of living life without ever leaving home or hiding within the safety of the home. Waldrops states, “Computers have made life easier, but it has also robbed society of its ability to do for themselves as they once did” (Waldrop, 14, 1993).
Work Cited
Carr, Nicholas. "Are We Becoming Too Reliant on Computers?'" The Guardian. N.p., 17 Jan. 2015. Web. 19 Aug. 2016.
Skinner, David. "Computers: Good for Education?" Public Interest 1.1 (1997): 100-05. Proquest. Web. 19 Aug. 2016.
Waldrop, Judith. "What Is a Luxury? It Depends." American Demographics 15.7 (1993): 14. Proquest. Web. 19 Aug. 2016.
