The Lackluster Letters 3

Written 6.12.2021

Subject: ATTN: Potential damage caused by technological devices

To: redacted parties.

To whom this may concern,

This may or may not be hearsay, but I feel its quite pertinent due to our current societal shift to virtual platforms.  As we all know with the tragic global event our dependence on certain devices and products has risen to an unhealthy level.  Unfortunately, that was the only counter-measure our nation's leadership could think of to reduce the devastation and mitigate the damage the pandemic would have on society.   

That being said, my area of concern is public schools k-12.  The spread of devices, mainly the chromebook, to facilitate the virtual education environment could possibly have some physiological repercussions especially when taking into consideration developing adolescents.  The physiological repercussion in question is the damage to the occipital lobe and the projected increase in near-sided adults by 2050.  However, the rapid proliferation and increase in screen time might significantly shorten that projection, even more so in individuals with a history of ocular maladies. 

Has any research been conducted with an emphasis on the long-term effects of these technologies on the general populace.   If not, why would you proliferate these devices to the general populace without knowing or considering the long-term effects on users.  This issue becomes even more of a concern when thinking about developing brains and the increase of the chance of long-term damage due to their fragile nature, i.e. children k-12.  

In closing, again this may only be a theory; however, I feel that it is something that should not be ignored.  Thank you for your time.

Aaron X. Henton