Outside of text messaging, many teens are lacking in general knowledge and real world values. I had to put this to a test to prove that this epidemic was real. In my experience in having conversations with teenagers, it’s conclusive that they lack in general knowledge. I quizzed two teenagers on two simple questions below.
1. What are the names of the 5 Great Lakes?
First teen answered 2 – Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario. The teen resides in Illinois, they should know about Lake Michigan.
Second teen answered 0 – Michigan River was the only response. I was amazed as this teenager also resides in Illinois.
2. Who is the Vice President of the Untied States?
First teen answered Hilary Clinton. Close, but no cigar, now put that iPhone down and pay attention next time.
Second teen had no answer. Now this is absolutely a shame and not only for the teen, but the parents.
Both teens are avid MySpace fans and text messaging addicts.
Conclusion
Text messaging is destroying many our teens and it’s causing a negative impact on education and real world values.
I just read about this competition called the “LG National Texting Championship” with more than 250,000 contestants. The contestants had to compete on who can text faster, more accurately, and ignore more distractions.
The winner, go figure, was a 15-year-old girl. Her name is Kate Moore. She is from Iowa. And amid her boundless joy, she told the Associated Press: “Let your kid text during dinner! Let your kid text during school! It pays off.”
I am sure Kate’s family is proud, and I am sure Kate is getting a good education texting while in school and during dinner conversations.
What are your opinions with this ongoing craze?
That is pretty sad that they don’t know the lakes in the area they live in. To be honest, I didn’t either, but I’m from the South and Southwest. Maybe the teachers should text their students, that would certainly get their attention!
~ Kristi
Kristi,
It really is sad. I was never an “A” student, but I tried to learn as much as I could on the things that interest me. When I talk to these teens they have no passion for anything but things that will not put food on the table. I am not only talking about young teens but teens that are 18 and 19.
Thanks for this, Frank – my tween & her pals have become glued to their phones in the last year and I can totally see how it invades home-life & awareness of the outside world. More research studies need to be done on this & warnings made real to parents. Jo
Jo G,
Whatever happen to playing outside for hours until our parents had to call us in and even than we resisted.
Thank you!
“I don’t know what’s wrong with these kids these days . . . I don’t know what this world’s coming to.”
Our parents said that when we watched Elvis on Ed Sullivan, I said it about my kids, and now my kids are saying it about my grandkids. It’s been a constant refrain of generation after generation since the Greeks in the BC’s.
Nevertheless, I do agree with you Frank. It’s like Leno’s “Jay Walking”, except that’s COLLEGE STUDENTS! I remember one time Leno showed some graduates from USC a picture of Thomas Jefferson. NOBODY knew who it was!
What makes it even worse is when you realize that these are the people who are going to be voting for the coming decades. These are the very people that should NOT be allowed near a voting booth!
Bob,
It’s the Lost Generation. They’re very lazy and have no concern about the future. I am glad I was born in the 60’s!
Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake superior, Lake Ontario…I can’t remember the last one but I’m from DC. But I do know who the vice president is….Uhhhh, the white guy with the Dr. wife….Joe Biden.
Good job! Lake Huron is the 5th one and many people forget it as well.