Playgrounds have the connotation of fun happy times running around free. As a kid, I would often use my imagination to have fantastic adventures pretending I was capturing Pokemon or playing more orthodox games like freeze tag. Technology is one of these "modern" playgrounds, where people continue to play, explore, and share. For instance, it is a wonderful place to use our imaginations to inspire others through Youtube videos. On traditional playgrounds, kids have the opportunity to learn basic skills like sharing and how to have fun. Technology also enables people to learn through services like Khan Academy. Learning has enabled more mediums of learning for more individuals. These allow more people to become the best version of themselves.
However, playgrounds also have a negative side to them. Children can be bullied or be seriously hurt by broken equipment. Technology also has this side to it. Technology can also enable people to hurt others more easily. Cyberbullying enables bullys to continue to manipulate others outside of in person interactions. More sophisticated individuals can steal very personal and private information such as bank account information. Technology can become very much similar to The Lord of the Flies.
What are possible solutions? Grassroot projects can help to combat this such as plugins to web browsers to better protect your privacy. Perhaps local, state and federal legislation can be passed to require services to better protect their clients.
What do you think? Does technology fit the playground allegory? Are there two sides to technology? If so, what other ways are there to combat the negatives?
