By Jasmine Pascual, Webmaster
Generation Z thrives on technology. It runs in the generation’s blood to first check 
their smartphones each morning, as if they have a new notification urgent enough to strain their eyes from a bright screen.
With technology at their fingertips, can they be blamed for their tendencies? Has it come to a point where technology has taken over the lives of Generation Zers and made them too reliant on it?
Students at Indian Trail High School & Academy, Generation Zers, have been immersed in technology most of their lives. Some even engage in self regulating and unplug on occasion, so they don’t feel too connected to an object, they say.
“In many ways, we do as a society use technology way more than we should,” said Adelina Gonzalez, an Indian Trail Communications Academy senior. “Now I don’t think the more prevalent use of it is problematic, I think the use of it as an alternative way of doing things is problematic.”
Gonzalez explained the distinction.
“For example, if I get a self driving car, will there be a need for me to learn to drive? Unless I already knew how, I may never learn how to. I think our society needs to focus on balancing our skills with our technological advancements,” Gonzalez said.
Some students worry technology is prompting people to not learn important skills.
“If you picked five random people out in the street and asked them to read a map, you’d get your answer,” said Wyatt Lynch, an IT Business Academy senior.
So how often do students go on their phones?
“It depends on the day. During the week when there’s school, not very often. But I’m definitely on my phone way longer than I should be,” said Kayla Smith, an IT Communications senior.
“I’d say 25 hours of the day,” said Lynch. “I would rather have wet socks than no phone.”
Still, there are students who aren’t obsessed with their cell phones.
“Probably like two hours,” said Taylor Zorn, a Communications junior.
So overall, do teens think technology is a force for good or evil in their lives?
“I think it can be good or bad, it just depends on the technology, like virtual reality. That can be awesome if we continued to develop it. But other things like nuclear weaponry or artificial intelligence could backfire against us,” said Lynch.
Artificial intelligence is when a type of machine displays human intelligence in which a human might have. In theory, it is when a computer system is able to perform tasks that would usually require human intelligence. This may include decision-making, speech recognition, visual perception, and even switching between languages.
“It’s a good thing, but we just have to make sure to push it into the right direction,” said Zorn.
How teens feel about technological advancements depends on the purpose of the advancement.
“It all depends on where the advancement is being made, I have no problem with technology advancing if it’ll benefit society, but not if it’s just for the fun of it,” Gonzalez said.
Some students hope technology never stops advancing.
“If we have to stop progressing, we’re saying we have to stop evolving. That’s like being someone who peaked in high school,” said Zorn.
Joking aside, Kayla Smith, a Communications senior, looks forward to what the future may hold.
“When you step back to think about it, technology is a wonderful mass subject that is waiting to be explored, and I’m excited to see where it goes from here,” she said.
“I think that for innovation, the sky is the limit, until it starts to question our morals, like artificial intelligence. We create something that acts and thinks like it’s alive but knows it will never actually be alive or like us, that’s cruel,” said Lynch.
Another student explained the negative and positive side of how it affects her.
“Yes it has influenced me, and in a way it took a lot from me. Like the free time I used to drown out the world with my music. But at the same time, I’m grateful for it because it makes life somewhat easier when it comes to communication,” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez is one teen who takes a break now and then from her technology.
“Every once in awhile I just lock up my phone in my closet or drawer for a few days while I do things I love,” she said. “Over the summer I had weeks where I would put my phone away and spend the week painting, writing, and spending time with family. I can live without it. That being said, I’m glad I have it.”
Zorn, on the rare occasion, will misplace his phone.
“It’s not too uncommon for me to forget my phone at home,” Zorn said.
Generation Z may be too reliant on technology, but they don’t see that all as a negative trait and it is one many teens are aware they carry. Students have admitted that technology has made them more aware of the world around them, and without social media platforms, they wouldn’t be so conscious of the world.