Today’s society has completely evolved into what is called a “modern society” with its new technology. It has changed us into something completely different than other decades. We have converted VCRs to CDs to iPods. Our cell phones — once the size of bricks — are now the size of your hand. Even the method for researching is different, thanks to the Internet. But what good does this do us? Even though we have advanced so much, the personalities of people seem to have been downgraded. Because of our obsession with texting through phones, teenagers will text almost anywhere, causing them to be disrespectful in places where they are supposed to be respectful. Not only that, but teenagers can cheat with the camera in their cell phones. Then, there is the Internet. It distracts teenagers easily, and [causes them] to not focus on the necessary things. When doing homework, the majority of teenagers are easily distracted through YouTube videos, Facebook, music, etc. Teenagers seem to put more attention toward video games and the Internet than they put toward outdoor activities and extracurricular activities — something that can help them develop character or help with applications in college. Sitting in front of a computer or TV for violent entertainment is not going to help teenagers in any positive way. As amazing as the new technology is, it can [make us become] more disrespectful human beings. Not only that, but it has changed our generation into a generation that is completely different than generations in the past few decades. We can only hope that the next generation will have a better outcome than today. Carolina Esquivel Student at High Tech High School in Point Loma