The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

Media’s impact on teenagers today

How long can you be disconnected from your Iphone, Ipod, or other smartphone device? Studies showed that most students can’t be away from their phone for more than 24 hours. Why do we devote so much time and energy reading, scrolling, and watching random peoples lives play out in front of us? That is a question that you should ask yourself, but until you can answer it you will continuously be hooked on a not so real reality.

Myspace, Facebook, and Bebo were some of the first social networking sites that gave people all around the world a chance to post pictures, statuses, personal information, and basically talk about their inner thoughts for all of their “online friends” to read. Since then, in a span of five or more years, more social networking sites have emerged. Twitter and Instagram are sites that you can see students pulling up on their phones to see what their friends are up to. Each feed refills at a constant speed to keep the users entertained, and mostly distract from life that continues around them.

I have seen many teachers get very aggravated because of this. Phones are getting in the way of education, and seem to come first in many situations.

I would be lying if I said I am often disconnected from my phone or the technology world. The truth is, it is hard to get away once you are already so attached and involved. But this is an issue that worries me because if students really can’t disconnect, then what will life be like in 20 years? Kids are only going to start using cell phones younger and younger, and who knows maybe babies will learn how to talk in text language—which is a scary thought.

Challenge yourself and try your hardest to leave your phone behind for at least a day. Maybe more if you think you can handle it. We all need to take more control of our actual lives, rather than our header photo on Facebook. Pay attention to the world around you instead of missing out on things while looking at a screen.

 

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Jamie Sullivan, Reporter

“Sit! Stay! Come!”   These are the words that Jaime Sullivan, freshman uses when she works with guide dogs to train them. Even though they might slobber on her clothes or hands, she really enjoys training guide dogs.

“My favorite part of raising guide dogs is the feeling of helping someone else get a dog that will change their life. I love animals; I have a dog and a cat and raising guide dogs is a good way to work with animals,” Sullivan said.

Her family has been raising guide dogs since she was eight years old. “My mom learned about it and we have been training guide dogs ever since,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan enjoys working with dogs and helping them to become disciplined  enough to help someone who is blind or has other health issues.  Over the course of six years, her family has worked with and trained seven dogs who then go on to help people with disabilities. Even though she might not always be working with guide dogs, she will always be an animal lover.

When she is not working with guide dogs, she is running cross country.Sullivan has been running for the past year and really enjoys it.

“I enjoy cross country more than track because it changes more than running track where it could be the same thing every time,” Sullivan said. Running is something she really enjoys and is thinking about pursuing running cross country in college.

Sullivan hopes to attend college in Colorado and study management in television and film. Afterwards she wishes to work behind the scenes on a television show, or on movies sets.

“I find it interesting how everything works behind the scenes, I think it would be cool to run a show.”

Sullivan hopes to be able to run her own show someday, making sure everything behind the scenes runs neat and smooth,exactly like how she works with and raises guide dogs. To be strict and firm, but keep everything running neat and orderly, so the dogs will end up being properly behaved. Like running a television set, her cross country running will also help her by staying on her feet while running around a busy television set.

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Media’s impact on teenagers today