By Shelly Williams/editor-in-chief
As if today’s society isn’t impatient enough, Microsoft has invented two new smart phones specifically targeted at teenagers and young adults, a generation that’s addicted to technology.
The Kin One and Kin Two have the usual features for smart phone users, like a touch screen with a full keyboard. The difference comes with how the access to a user’s favorite social networking Web site is changed.
Instead of a mound of applications or browsing from one site to the next, the phone can combine feeds among Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, according to an article on CNN’s Web site.
Photos on the phone now have the “drag and drop” option for those who want to share their life with the world more quickly — as if that’s needed.
Students already spend much of class time updating statuses, checking comments and instant messaging while lectures about skills or techniques that could be applied to a future job go ignored.
These phones will only distract students that much more from getting a higher education.
Yet the problem isn’t necessarily the phones or the social networking sites themselves. It’s the students and the way society draws them into the latest gadget or newest fad Web site.
It’s become this generation’s crack habit.
As cool as these new gizmos are, students need to remember that there is a time and a place for everything.
Students have the choice in how they handle themselves when it comes to social networking.
They can slow the need to be online and put their priorities elsewhere. Social networking sites are great if used in a professional manner or if students want to keep up with friends but are careful to not post certain aspects of their life online.
But, don’t let the tuition paid for classes go to waste. Use the time mingling online to study for an exam instead.
Classrooms are not the place for FarmVille requests. Lectures are not the time to have SnowBall fights either.
While we’re at it, if you decide to become a consumer of a Kin One or Kin Two, don’t Tweet and drive. There are enough accidents caused by texters already.
