this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2026
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In 2002, Maine became the first state to implement a statewide laptop program to some grade levels. Then-governor Angus King saw the program as a way to put the internet at the fingertips of more children, who would be able to immerse themselves in information.

By that fall, the Maine Learning Technology Initiative had distributed 17,000 Apple laptops to seventh graders across 243 middle schools. By 2016, those numbers had multiplied to 66,000 laptops and tablets distributed to Maine students.

King’s initial efforts have been mirrored across the country. In 2024, the U.S. spent more than $30 billion putting laptops and tablets in schools. But more than a quarter-century and numerous evolving models of technology later, psychologists and learning experts see a different outcome than the one King intended. Rather than empowering the generation with access to more knowledge, the technology had the opposite effect.

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[–] TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

US soldiers killed in Vietnam were as young as 16. The average age was 23, so assume roughly half under that. The human brain isn't fully developed until 25.

Yes, but you aren't interfering with a child's ability to learn which is what we were discussing. At that age cognitive function that is typically affected by PTSD and high levels of stress is impulse control and rational control over your emotions.

the introduction of screens? We've had screens since the 1950s. And, I gotta throw back to XKCD on this one...

If you cared to read the study you would have learned that they are specifying passive activities. Playing games that actively have the user engage with thought is fine, what is harmful and is a growing problem is passive participation. Where the only thing you do is just swipe to the next piece of entertainment .

If you would have bothered to read the source you would have known that this comic doesn't have anything to do what we were talking about.

And in a largely agricultural or early industrial economy, it hasn't been a serious issue. These only truly become classified as "impairments" when they interfere with a very specific kind of intellectual labor.

Again, what does this have to do with your argument..... We do not live in an agrarian society.

So we had a four year long dip and we're finally caught back up?

No, we've been growing in debt and access to debt since the crash in 08, in 20-21 we saw a two year lull due to the pandemic. Since the end of the pandemic we have seen the most aggressive rebound in history, largely spurred by inflation and post pandemic spending.

There is no elasticity in these budget items.

That is not relevant to the current argument.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

you aren’t interfering with a child’s ability to learn which is what we were discussing

Drafting a kid out of high school and putting them on a 12-month tour of duty absolutely interfered with their education. Even if they never see a day of combat, they're still doing some menial work that allows their accrued educational experience to atrophy. Same as what happened during COVID.

they are specifying passive activities

They are specifying interpersonal communications through text.

In this study children 10-12 were asked to compose text messages. The number of textisms was recorded, and a positive correlation was found between use of SMS abbreviations and success at literacy tests. This is then related to David Crystal's concept of "ludic" language: the playful use of language as a contribution to language development. That notion is developed here: By playing with textual language, one develops writing skills

How is this "passive"? None of it involves "swiping".

Again, what does this have to do with your argument…

That public reporting on learning difficulties only became interesting when students were educated to the level at which the difficulty was relevant? It goes directly against the notion that the current generation is in a unique situation.

That is not relevant to the current argument.

It is extremely relevant.

[–] TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Even if they never see a day of combat, they're still doing some menial work that allows their accrued educational experience to atrophy.

They never drafted anyone out of highschool. Less than 2k people either illegally volunteered to deploy or deployed with their parents permission. Which means they were choosing to end their education. It's not great either way great, but it wasn't event that happened to them, nor does it match with any sort of scale we've been discussing.

In this study children 10-12 were asked to compose text messages.

I was talking about the study I linked, not yours.

It goes directly against the notion that the current generation is in a unique situation.

During the transition from agriculture to industry of course there weren't any interest in studies about learning difficulties, there weren't even studies..... I never claimed that idea of cognitive imparments is new, just that it was a new event that caused imparments.

It is extremely relevant.

Care to extrapolate?

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

They never drafted anyone out of highschool.

Plenty of 18-year-olds were drafted during both Korea and Vietnam. Since deferment expired once you were no longer enrolled, this meant anyone who couldn't get into college was fair game.

I was talking about the study I linked, not yours.

And I rebutted it with my own.

[–] TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today 0 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Plenty of 18-year-olds were drafted during both Korea and Vietnam. Since deferment expired once you were no longer enrolled, this meant anyone who couldn't get into college was fair game.

So it would not be interfering with their education......as you would be out of highschool and not in college.

And I rebutted it with my own.

That had nothing to do with my claim..... Do you understand how arguments work? Or is your reading comprehension just that bad?

My claim was based on screen time with passive engagement was bad for children. Your rebuttal was a source concluding active engagement was beneficial. Those two statements do not conflict with each other.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

it would not be interfering with their education

Education doesn't end the moment you step out of school. Anyone who has held a job knows this

Childhood education does...... Which is what this conversation was about.