Journal # 3: Digital Nation

2/12/13: Journal 3 due.  Topic: Share your thoughts on the film Digital Nation to help you narrow down your essay topic.  Are you part of the digital nation?  If so, what has your experience been?  If not, why not?

I found the documentary to be one of truth.  I agree that our society and that of the world is heavily dependant on digital media.  I own a smart phone, as do many others, and it keeps me constantly connected to the internet.  I found it intriguing that Korea teaches the proper use of digital media to first graders.  Teaching the proper etiquette to students around the world would greatly benefit everyone that uses the internet.  So many people abuse the internet and many are malicious with their intent.  I always looking things up on Google, my husband would say, “I am a chronic Googler.”  My phone is always within reach if I am awake.  I can Facebook on the go as well as using other various applications.  The most helpful is my navigation application.  I have lived in Jacksonville almost my entire life and there are still places I am not 100% positive on getting to without directions.  I have heard that excessive cell phone use can cause cancer but are they really studies to support such allegations?  The digital age is one that many people partake in including children.  My step-daughter has a cell phone and an IPod Touch and she is usually texting or surfing the net more often than she would read a book unless it were for school.  If you don’t have a computer or smart phone nowadays you are considered behind the times.  I do believe that is it easy to become addicted to digital media especially video or computer games.  I was once addicted to playing The Sims and would spend hours on end playing with little to no interaction with other people.  I actually had to see a chiropractor for neck and should pain from spending too much time in front of my computer clicking the mouse hour after hour.  On the weekend I could spend all my awake time in front of the computer, even consuming meals while watching my Sims go through their daily lives.  Internet intake should be limited to where it does not interfere with regular daily actives or sleep.