Are people too connected to technology in their day-to-day lives?

Anna Weekes.

In this day and age the art of conversation has died and been replaced by texting and social media.

Young people have lost the ability to socialise without the above aides which is a real shame. On a recent scout camp that I attended, the Explorer Scouts (aged 14 to 18 years) were on a “screen free” day.

This meant they had to actually “talk” to each other and not use or look at their electronic devices for a whole day. You may ask why this is necessary, but for some of the young people you would have thought their right arm had been cut off. Their phone is the only way they know how to communicate and to be honest it is the culture these days.

By the end of the day the Explorer Scouts had forgotten about their smartphones and were taking part in activities such as archery.

They have actually asked that a similar ban is put in place for future camps as they enjoyed the pressure to respond to texts and posts being removed.

Young people also seem to have lost the ability to use their imaginations. Why do they need an imagination and play at being a superhero, when they can “be” the superhero in a computer game?

Young people genuinely believe the games that they are playing on an Xbox or Playstation are real – they have such good graphics that it is hard as an adult to tell that it is animated.

With this brings the hidden dangers of young people not knowing the difference between what is and isn’t reality.

It can also affect a young person’s behaviour, as they can believe it is okay to be violent towards others, or to commit crimes, as they have done so on a game.

I believe there is genuinely a time and place for technology, and we need to move with the times, but we also still need to remember simple things like climbing a tree in a park, building a fort with a sheet, engaging in a face to face conversation and letter writing.

If you believe your son or daughter is spending too much time embroiled in technology, get them to come along to a local scout meeting. They will have a chance to have a hands-on adventure, where they are encouraged to talk to people and physically take part in activities.

NO: Renée Watson, CEO of Oxfordshire Science Festival.

Renee Watson.

Technology comes from the application of science to real life challenges. Find it tricky to add up 10 digit numbers? No worries, use a calculator. Need to get in touch with your husband when you go into labour in the middle of a field in Minster Lovell? No worries, use your mobile phone.

Technology has made our lives better in lots of simple ways which is why our children are growing up with it. It is just normal now.

Some people say that our children are too exposed to technology but I would argue that it is all in the way you use it.

Computing technology doesn’t have to be about sitting on a sofa getting square eyes and round bellies. It can be used to go on international treasure hunts like with geocaching.

Children tend to be much more willing than adults to embrace change so new technologies are taken up by kids with enthusiasm.

There is a mismatch between children adopting technology wholeheartedly and adults being more reluctant to adopt change.

This is a hitch in human nature, not a problem with the technology itself.

Young people are using technology to break through some of our biggest global challenges: Using the cheap and easily bought Raspberry Pi to help us understand space; Inventing new cancer diagnostic tools using basic technology; A solar tree that harnesses more energy than any standard solar farm – these are inventions and discoveries made by teenagers.

The beauty of technology in the hands of the young is that you have a whole new generation of brains with new tools to overcome challenges.

Of course it is important to keep a balance – the new and the good old fashioned fun, like mucking around on bikes and chatting – the type that uses facial muscles and eye contact.

Children are not too embroiled in technology, they are just in the midst of redefining what our society looks like.

And just like any revolution before it, the technology revolution will be embraced by the young while us old fogies reminisce about the good old days when everything took ages and involved at least blood sweat or tears.