Is The Internet Really The Problem?

When I was reading the multimedia literature for class last week, I felt a sense of deja vu as I read about Inanimate Alice. It reminded me very strongly of something, but it took a while for me to figure out what it was. I was finally able to place it.

Computer games. Old-school computer games I played as a kid that no longer exist.

I was one of those kids addicted to Pajama Sam, Freddie Fish, and Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego. Inanimate Alice had that feel to it that was reminiscent of the beginning of Pajama Sam. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, when you started a new game of Pajama Sam, he always started off reading a comic book and all you had to do was click around to move onto the next part of the story.

It occurs to me now how old it sounds to say that I played computer games. With faster internet, kids (and adults) now play classic games online instead of inserting a disc and installing the game. Kids play their games on their Wii, Xbox, Nintendo DS, and whatever other new device available.

We notice that the internet is a problem with the current generation. But what if it's all this new, portable technology that's the problem? Back when I played these computer games, I could only play them at home. Kids now can take their games wherever they want to. We use our phones to access the internet anywhere, anytime.

So perhaps, instead of blaming the internet for all of our troubles, we should instead be taking a closer look at how we get onto the internet. Or how many devices we own that allow us to access the internet. I can find 4 devices in my dorm room alone that can get me to the internet. So what's the real problem? The internet, or our numerous ways to access it?