As Kids React to Technology, We Are Reminded How Quickly The World is Changing
Technology is changing at the speed of light around us and if you do not keep up you will be left behind unable to do what most of us took for granted like turn on the television or make a phone call. To turn on the television, I now need multiple remote controls. One for the cable box, one is for the box that sits next to the cable box and another one turns on the 60 inch HD flat screen television. We also have a computer that sits on the floor next to the aforementioned items. I do not know what it does but I do know that it MUST be on or the television will not work. Cells phones have a dizzying array of features that I will never use. Yet, I can be assured that the very near future will bring even more phones and more features (that I will not care about). These videoss how how Kids React to technology they are not familiar with.
You Tube launched in 2005, Twitter in 2006, Pinterest in 2011, Instagram in 2010 and Facebook ( arguably the grandfather of contemporary social media) was launched as recently as ten years ago in 2004. With the availability and popularity of Amazon, startup online retailers can conceive of an idea and launch it with products on Amazon in record speed. Most of us have the attitude of “accept the changes or get left behind” so we react to new products in a positive way lest we be known as “old fashioned.” It has come to a point where the only constant IS change. Therefore, I found the following videos a gentle and humorous reminder of how quickly technology has changed.
Kids React to a Game Boy Video:
Most of the kids knew it was a Game Boy immediately while Evan Age 7, thought it was an iphone case. Many of the kids were concerned that there were no apps and the fact that you had to keep putting batteries in it. “It’s like old technology!”
Kids React to Old Computers Video:
When presented with an old computer, Dash age 9 said “It feels very absurd” while Jayka, age 11, asked, “If you don’t have a desk where do you put this?” They further asked, “Where are the games? Where is the mouse? Where is the internet?” When the kids were informed of the limitations of a 1990’s computers the response was “that is mind blowing!” The internet did not become publicly and widely available until the mid-1990’s.
Kids React to Rotary Phones Video:
When presented with a rotary phone, Maxim age 7 said “this is like the first ones that Alexander Graham Bell invented.” When asked to make a call with the phone, the kids had no idea how to dial the number. In fact Noah, age 5, said “I wasn’t born in the 40’s so I have no idea what you are talking about!” When a busy signal was explained to the kids, they responded by saying “Pretty, not cool,” and “I don’t want that phone! I want to keep my iphone.” When questioned about pay phones, Thomas, age 13, said ” I know what a pay phone is. I heard about it in that Avril Lavigne song.”
Kids React to Walkmans Video:
Cooper, age 6, said “I have no idea what it is,” when presented with a Walkman. After examining the Walkman for a few minutes, Derrick, age 13, summed it up by saying “I could not imagine living in your guys’ days like this!” Krischelle , age 9, said “I feel bad for the people that lived in the 90’s!”
I hope you enjoyed looking at the advanced in technology through the eyes of kids. I know I got a laugh out of the videos (and hope you did to). I am, in fact, grateful for the advances in technology over the past 20 years in spite of the fact that I need three remote controls to turn on my television!