In a world driven by technology, it isn't really surprising that college students are completely engaged in every type of technology that is available.
A Webcast panel discussion hosted by Sony on Thursday focused on how members of Generation Y, or current 18 to 26 year olds use technology much more than other generations.,”
In a world driven by technology, it isn't really surprising that college students are completely engaged in every type of technology that is available.
A Webcast panel discussion hosted by Sony on Thursday focused on how members of Generation Y, or current 18 to 26 year olds use technology much more than other generations.
The Webcast was held to introduce a new Sony product, the Mylo (short for "my life online"). Mylo is being targeted towards college students in particular that use online social networking sites and tools like Facebook, MySpace, instant messaging services and Skype, an Internet calling system. The device connects to any available wireless Internet network and allows users to connect to the Internet from almost anywhere.
"Mylo is an alternative to a wireless notebook, but in a very small portable device," said Phil Boyle, product manager for Sony Electronics.
The Mylo is a newcomer on an already long list of technological devices currently used by Generation Y.
"This generation grew up with it and was exposed to technology early," said Charlene Li, analyst for Forrester Research and independent technology and market research company, during the Webcast. "They're not breaking any old habits by using technology so frequently and would probably find it very hard to switch over to not using it at all."
For college students it's almost impossible to avoid technology. Computers are used on a daily basis for writing papers, doing research and checking grades. It's hard to steer clear of students walking around a college campus with cell phones or iPods clutched in their hands.
"Members of Generation Y embed devices deeply into their lives," Li said. "For example, many more young adults own digital cameras and carry them on a day-to-day basis."
Li said that those digital camera owners then upload the pictures to a photo-sharing site like Flickr or Facebook for their friends to see and comment on as a means of social interaction.
Li also said that members of Generation Y tend to use cell phones with text messaging and carry MP3 devices like iPods on a daily basis.
"Music and entertainment are very important to Generation Y," Li said.
At the same time, technological devices that aren't just for entertainment purposes are important as well.
"I couldn't live without my laptop," said Meghan O'Connell, a sophomore in the College of Communication. "I use it all the time to write papers, IM my friends, check my e-mail. It's almost always on."
Over the course of time, Generation Y seems to have grown along with the technology it uses.
"People and technology are getting more sophisticated. There's just more available now than there was, say, five years ago," Li said.
While technology can add a lot to the life of a student, it can also be seen as something that distracts them from the world around them.
"Some kids can't live without text messaging and I think that's kind of ridiculous," O'Connell said. "Technology is important, but a lot of people tend to overemphasize it."
Recent growth in the popularity of Web sites like Facebook and MySpace has led more and more members of Generation Y to live large portions of their lives on the Internet.
"Technology presents a problem when it replaces face to face interaction," Li said. "People completely invested in online relationships are missing the richness of real relationships."
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