Classroom Publication

Children learn at young ages to use computers.

Multitasking is expected in today's society.

eBay is a great way to shop at home.

Adults are adapting to the use of the internet.

"The web is transforming culture, it is transforming language, transforming information, and we're seeing this in a very dramatic and measurable ways…" said Jon Katz, media critic in 1999. (Market Types and Daily Newspapers:Use of the World Wide Web Technolgies by Wendy Dibean and Bruce Garrison)

Americans live in a consumer society. We strive and compete to be the next best thing, whether it's bigger, better, or faster. Americans want it.

We work longer hours to compensate for our luxury cars. We eat fast food to make up for the time we lose while working. We search for the smallest MP3 player, the fastest internet service and the best computer around.

Technology is "it" in today's world. We don't use maps; we use GPS systems or Mapquest.com. In today's we-want-it-all-and-we-want-it-now" society, how much has the web effected these desires?

First and foremost, our language is growing more casual. Our vocabulary has changed. Due to e-mail and instant messaging, we type "U" instead of "you" and "Bi" instead of "Bye". These habits can turn into errors while rushing to type a business letter to an important client.

Online media prides itself as being quick and easy to read. It is more informal, which can be a blessing and a curse.

Kristi Peworchik, 21 and a student at Niagara University, said, "I read websites like Yahoo news and CNN.com. I like watching the videos they offer. It's great when I'm multitasking, instant messaging and e-mailing."

When asked if Peworchik buys newspapers, she said, "No. I look at them in my internship sometimes, but mostly I get the news for the internet."

In the past we were forced to read and write. When we wanted entertainment, we had to read a book. When we wanted to keep in touch with someone we had to write them a letter. We now can send instant messages, hook up our cell phones to our buddy list so we can text message people instantly, e-mail, and even get in contact with people through their personal websites, or places like Facebook or MySpace.

"It is amazing as I walk through the capitol building (in Albany), and I see everyone on their cell phones and "crackberrys," Jennifer Beecher of Albany said, referring to the Blackberry device used by business people. "Everything has become so impersonal. It is easier to write a couple lines in an e-mail than to pick up the phone and dial. I think it is both good and bad, it certainly has made our lives easier."

College Students today have grown up with the internet being available. Homework is posted online. In fact, many classes require you to communicate through the internet.

Students today can type extremely fast due to growing up using computers and keyboards. We can shop on the internet and not even be forced to leave our homes, pay bills, look for jobs, apply for jobs or even find a new apartment.

In an age where "google it" is a known term, it is hard to deny that the internet has changed society.

Lauren Montesarchio said, "I can't imagine life without the internet."

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