Future—Hi-Tech Kids

Talking to today’s young technology users, two things became clear: they like computers, and they don’t plan to stop using them any time soon. In fact, all the local kids we talked to said they expect to use technology in their future careers, whether they’re working in medicine, telecommunications or some other job that hasn’t been invented yet. We’re not sure about the flying cars, but we certainly wish these youngsters the best in whatever the future holds for them!

4th grader Morgyn Lombard uses the computer as a study partner for "dictionary, social studies or science questions.” When her homework’s done, she also uses the computer to talk to friends and play games (she’s a fan of funbrain.com and eCritters). All in all, Morgyn says she spends about an hour or two on the computer and predicts that when she grows up she’ll use a computer “for work, like my mom and dad.” She hopes to be either a teacher or doctor.

Randi Jean Schaffer spends “a few hours” online every day, checking out games, videos and shopping. The 9th grader at D.H.S. is also a blogger and says she uses instant messaging to keep up with her friends, “more than the phone.” Randi Jean also uses the Internet for finding information for school reports and “when I’m curious about something I want to know more about.”

Because he uses the computer “every day to keep in touch,” Nathan Gall expects that computers “will be very important in that way” as he grows older. There are certainly other ways the computer is important, too. The 9th grader says he spends about 45 minutes online each day, typically on MSN or Eastbay. Nathan also uses the computer for social networking and shopping for sports equipment and apparel. He says he checks out online video clips, too, sometimes.

Mason Lombard says he spends about 3 hours a day on the computer, mostly to play games and spend time on his favorite websites, Cartoon Network and eCritters. Mason isn’t sure yet what he wants to do when he grows up—he’s only in 4th grade, after all—but he’s narrowed it down to three possibilities: “an athlete, Cheqtel man or person who works on computers.” Asked how he thinks he’ll use computers in the future, the thoughtful Mason remarks: “for contacting people to see if they need help.”

Kyle Weber, an 8th grader at D.H.S., would like to be an architect one day, but in the meantime uses his mom’s computer about half an hour a day for Google searches and checking out hunting websites. In the future, Kyle boldly predicts that he will go to his architecture firm in a flying car that will be both cheaper and better than the cars we have today.

8th grader Lakyn Lombard uses the computer for a variety of things. She chats with friends, looks up information for her schoolwork and occasionally checks out videos—she says she’s too old for online games. Lakyn also buys music and finds out about new artists online. Lakyn sees herself in a sales or marketing position someday, traveling and using a mobile computer of some kind for her work; she predicts that in the future most computers will fit in our pockets.