Kids Can't Use Computers... And This Is Why It Should Worry You

[peanutter]

Agreed!!

And I'm glad you posted it.

I think you've hit another nail on the head there too in terms of weighing up the source and value of something found on the Internet. I see that ALL the time these days in essays

[Cassius2]

I actually see this as a much deeper issue. and the points that peanutter touched upon as inextricably linked to the concerns raised by the author and also, by those who are beginning to question basic human rights issues that are constantly under threat due to the increasing levels of censorship and monitoring by governments and affiliated agencies regarding web use.

I mean, seriously, do we all just have a quiet chuckle when we read articles where a family home is surrounded by gun wielding maniacs (government issued withstanding) all because her family over the course of their 'googling' managed to trip the censors with their search terms 'pressure cooker' and 'backpack' and perusal of articles relating to the boston bombings....all mutually exclusive searches mind you; undertaken by different members of the family? I find that frightening. I also find, that because of a distinct lack of understanding and a large level of apathy (the 'whatevers') people are having freedoms infringed to a whole new and more restrictive level.

Sheesh, 20 years ago if they told us that all our mail would be read, that every book that we picked up or newspaper article that we chose to read would be under the watchful eyes of our governments we would of been totally freaked out. and now? people are kinda annoyed/worried but mostly just couldnt care less.
people need to start being mindful, to start understanding what this means and why and how it all works.

this then ties into the need as the author of the blog suggests of people to start really learning how it all works, from the computer up (i agree with meow that it's not all about knowing it all to the level of an IT professional who has spent many years at university etc to get where they are).

kids do use computers. they use them alot. they are part of the classroom in the same way that blackboards and calculators once were: they are becoming integral. but instead of teaching our children how to use the computer or ipad, we need to teach them how and why (not just 'click here and that pops up!').

for example, there is an increasing trend towards webcam use for the *ahem* more sultry online love fests. this is all well and good and if it floats your boat. but not an insignificant number of young people are unaware that those 'live' images on their webcam can (and are) captured and can (and are) shared...they know how the webcam works but they dont understand its capabilities alongside the capabilities of other programs and computer applications. Just an example....