The Pew Research Center released a report in 2012 on the long-term Internet & American Life Project, this time honing in on how millennials will be affected by the hyper-connectivity of their lives by next year. The research was based on interviews with over a thousand select thought leaders on the subject.
The study, conducted by Janna Quitney Anderson of Elon University and Lee Raine of the Pew Research Center pointed to some particularly interesting things from their subjects. The report is based on interviews, and therefore an aggregate view of how many predict the future of the newest working generation.
First, there were two primary statements as choices people could choose from, one an optimistic and the other a cynical view. Some 55% agreed with the statement:
“In 2020 the brains of multitasking teens and young adults are “wired” differently from those over age 35 and overall it yields helpful results. They do not suffer notable cognitive shortcomings as they multitask and cycle quickly through personal- and work-related tasks. Rather, they are learning more and they are more adept at finding answers to deep questions, in part because they can search effectively and access collective intelligence via the internet.”
Overall, the changes in learned behavior and cognitive ability among the young generally produce positive outcomes.
Some 42% agreed with the opposite statement, which posited:
According to the study:
“In 2020, the brains of multitasking teens and young adults are “wired” differently from those over age 35 and overall it yields baleful results. They do not retain information; they spend most of their energy sharing short social messages, being entertained, and being distracted away from deep engagement with people and knowledge. They lack deep-thinking capabilities; they lack face-to-face social skills; they depend on unhealthy ways on the internet and mobile devices to function.”
Young people accustomed to a diet of quick-fix information bits will be less likely to undertake a deep, critical analysis of issues and challenging information. Shallow choices, an expectation of instant gratification, and a lack of patience are likely to be common results.
Overall, most of the study’s findings are things that will remain an issue. Societally speaking, as our behavior evolves on a macro level, we should strive harder to ask more questions about our future and discuss what we’ve come to accept as truth.
So, what do you think? Are we fated to have bleak, more unhealthy futures because of hyper-connectivity? Or are we better off from being able to benefit from such unbelievable technological advances? Let us know!
Jasmine Browley holds an MA in journalism from Columbia College Chicago, and has contributed to Ebony, Jet and MADE Magazine among others. So, clearly, she knows some stuff. Follow her digital journey @JasmineBrowley.
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