The+presence+and+growing+use+of+technology+and+its+effects+on+Gen+Y.


 * Name: Catherine Mark **
 * Student Number: n7548508**
 * Tutor: Sophie Miller**




 * The Artefact**

The revolutionary growth of technology over the years has affected human development and growth, with a greater impact on adolescents. Generation Y, the younger generation, have become heavily immersed into the digital world and the use of these devices has affected their mental and social health in numerous ways (Mortimer & Larson (2002). This cartoon describes the impact which reliance on technology in schools and universities have on the developing younger generation. It displays a particular situation where a school student is confused as to how to write on a chalk board and states that there are no icons to click. This message reveals that the developing use of technology has mentally affected the study routines of students, as their dependence on devices such as laptops and computers have triggered a decrease in the use of non-technological learning sources.


 * Public Health Issue**

Technology dependance in society has increased considerably over generations and has integrated into all aspects of modern life. It has created a division between both the older generation (generation x) and the younger generation (generation y), as it is generally the younger ones who are more adapted to and better able to navigate with technological devices (Helsel, 2008). A range of health issues and implications are now being faced, all of which may relate to the technological impact on a child’s mental, social and physical health (Kostakos & Little, 2005). To examine the effects of technology advancement on individuals over generations, an analysis on the various effects will be presented throughout this literature review.


 * Literature Review**

The emergence of technology into society inevitably culture-wide changes which affects the younger generation’s health, learning abilities and their working lifestyles (Helsel, 2008). The dependence on such technological creations have caused various health problem amongst our younger generation, and the increasing exposure to these devices leaves less room for changes in the health risking lifestyle habits of our children today (Helsel, 2008).

When comparing the developing social lifestyles of generation x as opposed to generation y, it was the older generation that were less exposed to technologies and media which encouraged a more traditional form of communication such as “face to face” conversation and letter writing. The introduction of various technological devices into society have exposed and encouraged newer forms of communication to the younger generation such as the use of the internet and mobile phones. These have become the dominant forms of maintaining relationships and are rapidly becoming ubiquitous especially through social network sites (Lenhart, 2009). Social networking websites such as Facebook and MySpace are the most common forms of digital socializing and it is the younger adults who are reported to be most involved in these public social networks (Lenhart & Madden, 2007). According to statistics, 70% of individuals aged 18-31 (gen y) use social networking sites as a source of communication (Lenhart, 2009). This number of social networking site users has increased over the years and may slowly become the most common form of communication in the years to come. Research has proven that as the amount of time spent on the internet increases, feelings of loneliness and depression increase. Hours of time have been added to the average amount of time a teen spends with the internet, cell phones and on social networking sites. As a result, less physical interaction is encouraged and thus social skills decreased (Heitner, 2002). Teenagers may find it harder to initiate conversation and communicate outside technological communicating sources as these sources are dominantly used. For example, majority of teenagers now rely on email and Facebook to initiate and maintain relationships with others (Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe, 2007). Also through examining the effects of the internet on adolescents, images and messages sent to the audience through this source and various others such as television, are said to perpetuate ideals and norms for behaviour, image and social acceptance through witnessing TV violence, gender stereotypes, advertising and portrayals of family life. By taking in these unrealistic images, adolescents may feel as though their goals and achievements are not good enough, encouraging a negative attitude towards real life situations (Heim & Brandtzaeg, 2011).

Research has shown that the regular use of technological devices and its impact on users socially, may affect individuals mentally (Heim & Brandtzaeg, 2011). Research has proven that constant use of technological devices sends stress messages throughout the brain. As a result, the brain enters a “state of continuous partial attention” and hormones are produced at the rate of when an individual encounters an emergency. This constant secretion of hormones leads to health issues such as fatigue, anxiety, depression and chronic stress related illness (Batchelder, 2010). It was also found that technology use may also affect an adolescent’s ability to focus. On average, young adults perform an average of seven tasks such as texting, checking emails while watching television. In comparison to older individuals, this number is significantly lower. The decline in a child’s ability to focus may affect their general thinking abilities and performance in school (Cleemput, 2010). Generation Y has progressed through schooling and education with computers and the internet as opposed to researching through books and writing in notepads. A century ago, the term literate meant that individuals were able to read and write, however today, literate means that individuals can download, surf the internet, tweet and send instant text messages. There is a great difference when comparing both generations and observing the variance integration of technology has made on modern young adults (Strasburger, 2010). The artefact chosen is a cartoon which depicts a child of generation y’s mental abilities in class, revealing that the excessive exposure to technological devices such as computers has encouraged using those sources as the dominant way of learning and thus limits their abilities to perform tasks physically (Cleemput, 2010). For example, dependence on the internet for research has become the most common form on researching as it is faster and convenient; however this gives room for less effort in understanding the information being withdrawn from various websites as opposed to reading text books and pulling out the necessary information. From a study conducted, it was found that from an interview of tenth and eleventh grade students, 90% of the group had felt that the internet was a useful tool for acquiring information. Generation Y has adapted to these technology using habits and this source of access to information is what these young adults have grown to be accustomed to (Paul, 2005).

Increasing exposure to the use of the internet has led to various safety issues to younger children as it is an easy source of accessing inappropriate material and experiencing bullying (cyber bullying). According to the bureau of statistics, in 2009, children who accessed the internet were said to have had a form of personal security problem. This included issues such as accessing inappropriate material, giving out personal information to strangers and experiencing threatening or bullying.


 * Cultural and Social Analysis**

The rapid increase of developing technological devices over the years is the foremost reason behind the increased usage of technology leading it to become a crucial part of the lives of young adolescents. Although technology use has its benefits such as faster and efficient transferring if information, the use of these devices also presents various risks. Through research, there was a correlation between high levels of media consumption and unhealthy outcomes and these risks are more so targeted at our younger generation, that is generation Y. (AGO, 2010).

The development and growth of technology use over time has also linked to numerous physical health issues amongst the younger generation. Studies reveal that sedentary behaviour whilst using technological devices and media, such as television, the internet and video games is one factor which underlies the prevalence of obesity in younger adolescents (Anderson & Butcher, 2006). With technology in homes, passive leisure activities (watching TV and playing video games), reliance on vehicle transportation and less physically demanding work choices, individuals do not have to take part in physical work unless they feel the need to do so (AG, 2011). Teenagers are now lacking the amount of physical activity which they undertake on a daily basis when compared to teenagers over a century ago and technology consumption is one of the key underlying factors behind this decrease.

Evidence shows that there are also increasing evidence that communicating devices such as emailing, cell phones and social networking websites, link to various forms of bullying. This issue is prevalent amongst teenagers and reported incidents of ‘cyber bullying’ are increasing rapidly nationwide. Through a survey conducted, it was found that more than a quarter of Year 8 Australian students were or had been bullied using technological devices such as mobile phones or on the internet (AGO, 2010). Through analysing the data from this survey, results had revealed that cyber bullying can affect a victim’s physical and emotional well-being (AGO, 2010) and these sorts of effects can lead to issues such as depression and disorders (Batchelder, 2010).

Various Australian programs have been created to help address some of the health issues previously mentioned. Recommendations in the Australian Guidelines for technology use limits have been created to ensure a better and healthier lifestyle. The Australian guidelines recommends that adolescents aged 12-18 years are to spend no more than 2 hours a day in non-educational screen/media time such as internet use, watching TV and playing video games (AG, 2010). To address and minimize personal safety issues whilst using the internet, parents had decided to monitor their child’s use of the internet (89%), children were educated on safe and appropriate use of the internet (83%) and internet content filters were installed into the computer (47%). These measures which were performed to minimize internet usage risks, did reduce the number of personal security problems during the year (ABS 2011), however as internet usage is increasing rapidly, further actions should be undertaken to help evade such risks.

Generation Y are the central targets to health risks in relation to technology use, and this issue should be addressed to a higher extent. Public health experts should initiate and promote programs to educate our young generation with the various health and mental risks of continuous use of communicating/media relating devices as most are blinded to the detrimental effects these tools may have on one’s life.


 * Analysis of the Artefact**

I had chosen this cartoon as my artefact, as it illustrates and sends out the message that over time, the dependence on technology is becoming stronger and that our younger generation are slowly integrating these tools into their everyday lives. As the student looks bewilderedly at his teacher, stating that “there are no icons to click” when asked to write on a chalk board, this statement reveals that the child has a strong reliance on computers to write/study than through physically writing in a book or in this case, a chalkboard. To older generations, this may seem shocking as they may have grown up with physical school sources such as books and notepads, however as our young adults have grown in a ‘digital world’ where technology use is the norm, use of these tools would be completely normal and productive to them

This assignment has broadened my views on health issues relating to technological devices as I have never really thought so deeply into the issues relating to these. It has given me a larger understanding of how different both generations X and Y are as a result of the emergence of technology into society.


 * Responses**


 * Wiki: 'Ooh La La, Did you see that' - How enquitable is the playing field when it comes to women's sport'**

Your wiki was excellent to read. I play sport myself, I always find that when competing around male competitors, my confidence dies a little cause I always feel as though I am never good enough and can never compete to their level. I do agree with you when you mentioned that sport should be watched for the game itself and not for who is playing as this does encourage gender equality.


 * Wiki: Chlamydia, MTV and Pornography - Generation Y's Sexual Revolution**

I think that you have chosen a great artefact for your topic as it does display sex in the media through advertising so strongly. It has opened my eyes to seeing how females and sometimes males are used as sex objects through media sources to receive higher ratings and to promote commercial advertising.


 * References**

Anderson, P. M & Butcher, K. F (2006) Childhood obesity: trends and potential causes, //Project Muse Journals,// 16: 19-45

Australian Bureau of Statistics, (2011). Communication: children and the internet. Retrieved from: [|http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject] [|/1370.0~2010~Chapter~Children%20and%20the%20Internet%20%284.8.5.3.1%29]

Australian Government Office for Youth. (2010). National Strategy for Young Australians. Retrieved from: []

Batchelder, T. (2010) Television watching and health in Brazil. //Townsend Letter.// 231:34-36

Cleemput, K. V (2010) “I’ll see you on IM, text or call you”: A social network Approach of adolescents’ use of communication media, //Sage publiations,// 30:70-85.

Ellison, N.B., Steinfield, C. and Lampe, C. (2007).The Benefits of Facebook "Friends:" Social Capital and College Students' Use of Online Social Network Sites.//Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication //, 12(4), 3-10. Retrieved from: []

Heim, J. & Brandtsaeg, P. B. (2011), Children’s usage of media technologies and psychosocial factors, //Sage Publications,// 9(3): 425-454

Heitner, E. (2002). //The relationship between use of the internet and social development in adolescence//. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Pace University, New York. Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertation & Thesis A&I database on September 17th 2011 from http://proquest.umi.com.authenticate.library.duq.edu/pqdweb?index=2&did=7649 22541&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=2&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&

Helsel, S. D. (2008), The influence on technology on adolescent development: An eco-cultural analysis of cybersocial activity, Proquest, 7, pp 1-5

Kostakos, V & Little, L (2005), Social Implications of emerging technologies, Elsevier Journals, 17, pp 475-483

Mortimer, J. T & Larson, R (2002) //Societal trends and the transition to adulthood//, The changing adolescent experience, Australia:Cambridge University Press.

Paul, B. (2005). Adolescents and the Internet, Adolescent medicine, 16, 413:426.

Strasburger, V. (2010). Children, adolescents and the media: seven key issues, Pediatric annals, 39:9.

Australian Government: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2011. Retrieved from: []