Social or Safe?

Mobile technologies in Generation Y vs. Baby Boomer Parents

The disappropriation and appropriate criteria evaluated by  Carroll et al in their investigation of mobile technologies and teens, “A field study of perceptions and use of mobile telephones by 16 to 22 year olds,” is extreamly useful in determining the overall use of technology in our generation. Generation Y is unique mostly because we have grown up as fluent and almost constant users of mobile technology. Although I received my first cell phone when I was a freshman in highschool, I know numerous individuals who were using them in the fifth and sixth grades. Therefore, the factors that determined the use of mobile technology for our generation are different form any other. This study called attention to the fact that although we do use our cell phones for safety purposes, they are majorly for social communication and leisure. If safety was indeed the determining factor for purchasing a cell phone, it was usually due to a decision by the parents, usually of the “baby boomer” generation.

What does this mean for GREEN?
Well, it would mean a lot more if we wanted it to. Generation Y has all the tools and is prepared to use mobile technologies to forward this or any other cause, the problem is that we as a group don’t spend half as much time on “causes” that greatly impact our global environment as we do on those that impact our social environment.

All for now!
Emily