There is a very good feature article in the New York Times title Wired for Distraction that reasonably - without hysteria, outlines problems some students are experiencing in balancing their online lives. It describes how some students are almost obsessed with maintaining frequent contacts with friends via Twitter and Facebook or games to the point that they cannot focus on other tasks that are not so immediately fulfilling. Unlike many popular press articles on this topic, they point out that this only affects a minority of young people, but is nevertheless a significant issue. For those involved with secondary students in particular, it is a good read.
The answer, it seems, is that teachers (and parents) need to help students find balance and manage their priorities. Surprise! Who would have thunk it?
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