The Madness of Generation M

While I'm not a part of Gen Y, I'm a majorly heavy internet user — between my job, this blog and researching the book, I feel like I'm connected 24/7 either through my laptop or my Treo. I often use my laptop while I'm watching TV and have multiple browsers open. I used to IM when I worked at AOL, but have pretty much stayed "logged out" every since. When I read Claudia Wallis's smart TIME cover story (subscription or daypass required) about "The Multitasking Generation," I immediately felt like she hit upon an important point that we all intuitively know, but needed to be said and backed up with solid neuroscience:

"Decades of research (not to mention common sense) indicate that the quality of one's output and depth of thought deteriorate as one attends to ever more tasks."

Duh. That's why the work emails I rattle off while watching "American Idol" are often incoherent or the reality of having browsers open while trying to write is not only the procrastination tool from hell, but also means I will never get as much focused writing done unless I keep them closed and disable my connection.

Her article also backs up what I'm realizing as I write this book — that most of the negatives about being "totally wired" have to do with what that article posits:

"What happens as we replace side-by-side and eye-to-eye human connections with quick, disembodied e-exchanges? Those are critical issues not just for social scientists but for parents and teachers trying to understand–and do right by–Generation M."

The reason the "negative" aspects of teen internet use (posting too much information, sexy or incriminating photos, cyberbullying or just cyberdrama), are so rampant have to do with what Sherry Turkle argues is the difference between the online environment and face-to-face interaction.

"The online environment, she [Turkle] points out, 'is less risky if you are lonely and afraid of intimacy, which is almost a definition of adolescence. Things get too hot, you log off, while in real time and space, you have consequences.'"

It's a very thought-provoking read and a fresh angle on what's happening with teens and technology right now.

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