An article from our students:

Article composers:

Oscar Moore

Matthew Mummolo

Is Technology Really an Evil Influence on Teenagers?

Do you really think kids would be able to live without technology?

Social media has been regarded in both a positive and a negative light. In a study directed by my team, The Australian Institute of Family Studies, it has been proven that only 28% of teenagers go out and are willing to engage in face to face communication whilst the other 72% are socialising on their devices.

Some of you here today may not consider teenagers socialising on their devices as a problem. After all, the teens are still communicating with people. So what’s the problem?

The problem is many teenagers struggle with face to face communication because they are so used to communicating over the internet. With this comes a shift in confidence. A shift in the wrong direction that is. Teenagers may feel confident talking to hundreds of people over the internet whilst also feeling popular, as if they have endless friends. However, when the teenager come back to the real world where their identity isn’t hidden behind a screen, the teenagers confidence levels drop. For some, this can be severely damaging to their mental health.

As parents, do you REALLY think the negatives outweigh the positives?

The truth is, social media can be used in such a way that it can lead to increased communication and connection. It allows teenagers to communicate and stay up to date with family and friends around the world and help people who are lonely to find supportive networks.

An example of how technology can be a support for teenagers is the Kid’s Helpline This service accepts calls and emails from teenagers about problems they are struggling with or even concerns about their friends or family membrers.. Another positive of technology is that provides access to school and education even in a pandemic. It also has the capacity to improve schooling such as through the googleclassroom platform that allows access to the students work history and also gives the classroom teacher the opportunity to provide and comment on work even when a student is absent.

Let’s face it! During the recent Covid-19 pandemic we were all sadly sent into lockdown We had to leave College grounds and learn to learn in a different environment. Online learning became the new normal. Without the aid of technology, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to continue learning safely.

You have heard irrefutable evidence from my colleague and I today.

Do you really think social media is a negative influence on teenagers in today's society?

Without social media teenagers would not have the opportunity to stay connected in today's society?