How much media do children and teens consume each day? How does the type of media consumed impact cognition?

      As we have begun to study in class about technology and how it affects our lives, I can see in my life where I rely heavily on technology. I am always connected, I am never without a phone or even my computer. I feel these devices as an extension of me. In the book I am reading titled, The Natural Born Cyborg, it discusses how these technologies become a part of us. It is no longer a device, but an extension of our very selves. The consumption of technology raises with each passing year. The advances in technology almost force people to jump on board. Wearable devices are starting to become very marketable. Google Glass, smart watches, fitness trackers, etc.... all are becoming a part of us. 
     In my reading of The Natural Born Cyborg, it discusses the implication of technology. Think for example when a small child discovers the internet and begins surfing. The data obtained from each search and every click is obtained, recorded, and then tracked throughout that child's life. Every time that user logs on, the internet customizes itself. Advertisements are strategically placed showing previous products that may have been searched. A person could essentially be molded and changed by the how the internet directs them. The way a person thinks and acts could be dependent on the technology he/she uses. This has serious implications and provides us with the realization that rules need to be established when we allow our children to access technology. Many of the skills required to function in society are learned at a young age and cannot be learned through technology. 
     More and more, children are exposed to content that is far beyond their years. We have become callous and complacent as a society. Video games are a great example of how some parents do not view the content being displayed as "bad".  Some might argue that it is just a game and not "real life". Others, refuse to become informed when dealing with the technology that surrounds us not knowing how it might affect children cognitively. Like any tool or technology that comes; they can be used for good outcomes and for bad ones. It is up to each individual to decide the best use of the technology and be vigilant over those we care for to ensure proper use.