In a world of ever increasing technology aspects, some have to wonder if all this growing knowledge is all beneficial.

Among all the cell phones and laptops and internet sites, it can be easy to get lost in a digital world.

Sophomore Hannah Baxter believes that sites like Twitter give people too much freedom.

“People use Twitter to say awful things, whether it’s about another person or not,” Baxter said. “If you are going to say something bad about someone you should have the guts to say it to their face. Technology sometimes takes away from the personal aspects of communication.”

Sophomore Emily Prine agreed that social networking has really taken off.

“You can find anyone on the internet and it is hard to keep things private,” Prine said. “It is scary sometimes to think who could be creeping around.”

Baxter and Prine both said a beneficial side of technology is cell phones can be helpful in emergency situations.

“If someone is in an emergency situation like a car wreck, cell phones are easy to pull out and get help right away,” Prine said.

Junior Andrew McGinnis also believes that technology can subtract from the personal aspects of life.

“Online dating is a negative to technology because I don’t believe people can truly know who the other person is over an internet site,” McGinnis said. “Also, people can pretend to be who they are not and people can get hurt.”

McGinnis said an upside to the developments in technology would be the military usage of technology.

“Technology is great for military purposes because it really can save lives.”

Senior Abbey Rupke said technology interferes too much with education.

“We are expected to do a lot of homework on our laptops, and I think it ends up taking twice as much time because students get distracted on the internet,” Rupke said. “I don’t use Moodle because I forget to check it, so paper reminders about homework are much more to helpful to me. Tangible homework is more effective than digital homework.”

However, Rupke believes technology has its upsides, too.

“Technology helps people with disabilities,” Rupke said. “For example, people who have speech impairments can get programs that form sentences for them so they can talk.”

Junior Rachael Arthur believes some new technology aspects are pointless.

“Google glasses seem like they would be an annoyance and most people wouldn’t use them because they have phones that can do all of that in the glasses and more,” Arthur said. “Plus they are way too pricey.”

On the other hand, iPhones are a popular hit.

“iPhones are easy and quick access to what you need, as far as GPS, phone, internet, weather, time, and more,” Arthur said. “It’s like carrying around your computer but you can call people and it can fit in your pocket.”

Sophomore Andrew Florian shared his thoughts on today’s high-tech equipment.

“Technology is equally harmful and helpful,” Florian said. “It helps a lot, sure, but people abuse it. Cyber bullying is a prime example.”

15sberens@usd489.com