It is a common fact that, with age, people tend to change. They change in personality, beliefs, interests and more. Another way people change as they grow older is often losing interest in childhood toys.

“I played with dolls, and now I play with videogames,” freshman Jacey Schaffer said. “My old toys don’t mean anything to me now. They are sitting in my toy box just collecting dust.”

While some students keep souvenirs of their past, others have few if any of their childhood toys in their possession.

“I’m sure my toys would mean something to me if I still had them,” junior Bryce Baker said. “I only have one thing from when I was a kid.”

According to a list of the best-selling toys of the past 25 years on newslite.tv, 2005 was the year technology in toys became a hit, with MP3 Players, PSP and Xbox360. The following year, Nintendo Wii was a top-seller.

“I believe that it’s beneficial for the youngsters to get used to the new technology, but also a disadvantage because kids can get too attached to the darn things,” junior Wendy Zimmerman said.

Students admit to having a changed gear to technology rather than toys.

“I used to play with Barbies,” junior Mackenzie Lewis said. “Now I’m usually just on the computer.”

A newly inspired interest in technology isn’t the only change for some teens.

“I used to play with Transformers, cars and Legos, as well as Spiderman, Batman and Ninja Turtle toys,” Baker said. “Now all of my toys either have a trigger, or pedals and a steering wheel. Playing as a kid was much safer.”

Some students may believe playing with old childhood toys at their age means being looked at as immature and not grown-up. However, most people say toys and maturity are not connected.

“Sure people can play with toys and still be mature,” freshman Makenna Ryan said. “Maturity isn’t about if you’re responsible all the time, but it is about knowing when to be responsible and when to do this or that.”

However, some believe maturity is more so in the eye of the witness.

“As long as nobody knows you still play with toys, I think it is fine,” junior Kaylee DeWitt said. “Plus, if you tell a friend that you do, they won’t judge you if they are really your friend.”

In addition to toys, television and movies area another area people to change in. Younger people are exposed to different types of shows and movies than before.

“There’s a lot of violent and inappropriate things on TV that anyone can watch,” sophomore Abby Henry said.

In some cases, people believe the earlier kids are exposed to this type of entertainment, the greater the impact on society.

“Sometimes things like that don’t really affect people much, but it can cause people to think it is alright to do destructive things,” Henry said.

Though while many people change as they grow older, some people don’t change as much with age.

“I am a Disney movie person, and I will still watch any Disney movie,” senior Maddie Brungardt said. “My favorite is ‘The Lion King.’”

14awalters@usd489.com