His cell phone alarm wakes him, providing enough time to get ready for school. Checking the phone for any reminders, senior Brad Walker takes his first dose of technology for the day.
All over the globe, new technologies keep people updated by offering them fresh outlooks on news, people and events. By harnessing the full potential of the resources around him, Brad takes advantage of his electronic devices to aid in completing daily tasks.
“Technology will keep advancing. I don’t think we appreciate it enough,” Walker said. “It has opened up so many worlds.”
Brad is considered among his friends as an “Internet God”, always knowing where to get the most up-to-date information. Whether he uses it for research, assistance with homework or for media, his thirst for data drives him to gain knowledge.
“Any information I can get my hands on, I eat [technology] up like cake,” Walker said.
Because he has been around digital technology for most of his life, Brad knows how to post and share on the Internet. Although most teens have a good understanding of Internet etiquette, some feel self-reproach for their posts.
“I’ve learned what things I won’t feel so good about if I post them online,” Walker said. “But I’ve never regretted anything.”
Despite all the benefits technology offers, there are drawbacks to how instantaneous it can be. Posting an update about a frowned-upon activity can be seen by anyone, even a school administrator. Brad is able to help his friends make the right decisions on the web.
“I would definitely go to him for information about the internet because he always makes use of it,” senior Alex Bertucci said.
Regardless of the pace this phenomenon is advancing at, many people have managed to catch on, using it to connect themselves to other places. Brad uses his portal to the world to unite with friends. Through Facebook, he is able to communicate with virtually anyone, sending messages at the speed of light.
“I’m impressed at how fast the internet’s getting,” Walker said. “I get impatient when I’m away from my own high-speed internet. Sometimes I’m even impatient with that. Some people still have dial-up, it’s unbelievable.“
When Brad doesn’t have access to his computer, he can likely be found playing games on the handheld DS. It’s just one of the many ways he stays connected. As technologies become more sophisticated, gadgets tend to evolve. He cites the iPhone as an example of the convergence of different devices.
“Tech is getting more and more advanced, yet more and more user friendly, and I’m eager and curious as to where it will go,” Walker said.
