Did anyone else spend a lot of their childhood and teenage years on the computer?

Question

I've been on the computer a lot since age 8, and I'm 17 now. What influence has it had on you? I feel like a computer addict.. but I went on the computer a lot because I didn't have much friends to really hang out with and everything. And now it's just an escape, really, after really stressful days. But it's caused me to procrastinate to an extreme degree, these past few years. But I went on fun sites over the years like Neopets, GaiaOnline, Tumblr, etc. And played many games like Sims, MapleStory, GunBound, and Habbo Hotel.. from many of their beginnings. Like I was on MS since Beta. I don't play games anymore, and now I mainly go on forums, look up news articles, watch shows and movies online, and use tumblr and facebook.

Its scary to ask, but is it sad that a lot of my life was shaped by the internet? and am i the only one? what does it mean? what are the positives and drawbacks?

Answer 1

When I was young the only computers were in NASA.

Answer 2

I'm lucky...internet wasn't too big when I was 15. I'm 24 now. The biggest thing 9 yrs ago was AOL. Most of us didn't even have cell phones, and that's not even a full decade ago! I'm from a middle class family, so we would've been able to afford these things of they were available. AOL was just a way to make plans, not sit there with their faces stuck on facebook or texting.



For me, my high school classmates and I were active and eager to get out of the house. Now ppl just wanna ignore face-face conversation. Internet is positive because it's educational and resourceful. It's negative because it's the new and top way to communicate.

Answer 3

I spent a lot of time playing computer games, but it has taught me to use restraint and be patient with technology. I was so obsessed with WoW at one point that my wrist and hand became numb from being stationary for so long, I would be angry if I had to be away from playing it. It was a bad scene... I so feel lucky however to not have had technology rammed down my throat. I'm 24, I couldn't imagine being a teen now with all the gadgets that are out now.

Answer 4

I've spend about half my life playing sims and I still loving playing it! I was obsessed with neopets for about a year, haven't thought about it for ages, I might have to go on it again! I think computer games are a great way to escape, they transport you into a different world and make your problems disappear for a while so I think in a way that's healthy because it relieves stress :)

Answer 5

I do!!!

and still do, I am 17. And I also feel a like I have an addiction to computer.... but I don't think I lost my time. I didn't spend my time on computer in silly games like Tibia, I investigate, chat, know people around the world, etc.

Answer 6

For the first 13 years of my life I didn't own a computer nor had easy access to it

XD I'm catching up on time

Answer 7

They didn't have computers for home use when I was a kid/teen, I remember seeing them in college but it was still just an academic/business thing, no cell phones, pagers were hot when I was a teen.

Answer 8

When I was a kid no. After the age of 14 yes. lol

Answer 9

I've spend a lot of my adult life on a PC..for mostly the same reasons you gave....I think they have a name for people like us...

Answer 10

Nope, when i was a child i was playing "kiss chase" with the girls and in my teens i was doing sports..

Answer 11

i remember using dos when i was a kid. and windows 32. that was back in the day