Computer Time: Is Our Health Effected?

There have been numerous reports stating the harmful effects of continuous exposure to TV and computer. Some of the latest research claims that sedentary behaviors may be associated with high blood pressure. Joe Eisenmann stated that, "the cardiovascular disease risk factors suggest that risks may be immediate and not just indicative of potential problems.... sedentary behaviors are linked to obesity, and that obesity is linked to high blood pressure, but this is the first time that we've linked those behaviors directly to elevated blood pressure."

Children today are growing up in a different world. Often enough many children find enjoyment from playing online or accessing any bits of media they so choose. Formerly parents were concerned that they were spending too much time in front of the computer screen and this might pose a threat to their health, but now parents have something else to worry about. Their children have become the generation that can access any information at anytime. Parents again should question whether the vast amounts of information presented through the internet can actually impede their children's long term learning abilities. Often enough this generation may look up various information they need online to have a quick answer. The question is -will they remember it in the long term or will they feel confident that they can just look it up again? In Lance Strate's chapter 22 (Cybertime) of Communication and Cyberspace he mentions that, "Beyond the problem of the information glut, there are very legitimate fears concerning the loss of privacy, fears our every move leaves behind a trail of electronically recorded transactions" (State 376). So now, parents can worry about more than just the health of their children, but now, their online safety. As social networking sites allow users to post pictures and blogs, should parents fear that their children's post could be a mistake that one day prevents them from being hired for a job?