Internet, Social Media and Grandparents
By Ben Vitale
I constantly read derogatory articles about the younger
generation and the time they spend on Social Media and the Internet. Is there
really something wrong with communicating with people via Cyberspace?
When I was about 14 years old I lived in Brooklyn, NY. How did teenagers communicate in the 50s? OK….We
did not have Cell Phones, TV, Text Messaging, Email, Social Media, or
Computers! We did have AM Radio, but the signals usually drifted in and out in
the evening hours! LOL. No FM radio! “Yep, we lived like Cave Men!” LOL. On the
positive note; we did have the “promise of a “Cell Phone” that was yet to be
invented. Dick Tracey, a cartoon character in the “Daily News,” flaunted a wrist
mounted “Two Way Radio.” Oh how wonderful it would be to have a “Wrist Radio!”
As a teenager, my “gang of friends,” congregated in front of
“Al’s Prime Meat Market,” on 39Th St. and 12Th Avenue, in
Boro Park, Brooklyn, NY. Every evening about 35 of us gathered on the corner and
talked to each other. Every evening we talked to the same 35 people.
The younger generation communicates with hundreds of their
friends, on a daily basis. Is the written form of communications less valid
than the spoken word? My Granddaughter has 800 people listed as friends on her
Facebook account.
You may be surprised to find out that not all of the older
generation, are brainwashed by the old way of communicating. Many of the older
generation do not subscribe to the outdated social mandate which expects you to
“act your age.” An increasing number of the “older generation” are very much in
tune with the modern ways of social interaction. For example: 117 Sachem High
School Alumni, from the Classes of 1959 through 1965 are members of our
Facebook Group, which is called “Sachem Alumni 1959 - 1965.” (Sachem High School, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY)
In addition: 120 Sachem High School Alumni, from the classes
of 1959 through 1965 are members of the Sachem High School, Alumni Group, that
interacts via the following Blog.
Correspondence is generally through Email, and articles of
general interest are published to our Blog. I am happy to say that the younger
generation cannot claim exclusive ownership of the modern Internet, and social
media; your grandparents share this honor with you! LOL “Sorry guys,” some Grandparents
are also “cool.” LOL
There is nothing more precious than maintaining contact with
your classmates from high school, 50 years after graduation! Guess what “kiddies,”
we like the Internet and social media, more than you do! LOL. If “Grandparents”
thrive on the Internet, it is only reasonable to offer our support and approval
to our grandchildren. Hey! We do have
something in common after all! LOL
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