Information overload called harmful
Psychologist warns today's children lack social skills, morality
Dr. Lynn Scoresby told hundreds of people attending Education Week at Brigham Young University on Wednesday that one manifestation of a righteous life is the desire to create, achieve and build on the successes of the past.
Yet he sees a growing number of young people who have yet to face any serious challenges in life or learn to work hard. Many are so engrossed in video games, movies and entertainment that they have failed to develop the social skills and moral character necessary for successful marriage and family life, he said.
Scoresby said recent studies show that 87 percent of American children ages 8-12 have access to the Internet, and the average age of their first exposure to pornography online is age 11. While porn has serious negative effects on children, he said, what is more troublesome is the information overload many children are exposed to online and with other types of media.
When continually bombard- ed with high quantities of information, the human brain at some point "can't tell the difference between (gospel) knowledge and mere information, and from there, between information and what is true. At that point, gospel truth is perceived on the same level of reality as a video game."
As an example, while serving as a bishop in his local ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Scoresby said he interviewed a 16-year-old girl who ended up having sex with a boy she had dated only once.
When asked why she had done so in light of gospel teaching at home and church to avoid premarital sex the girl responded, "Honestly, I didn't even think about it." Scoresby said the girl had no concept of what it meant to say "no" and could only understand the consequences of her actions in hindsight.
"The Book of Mormon (and its teachings) are at risk of being put on par with the information in someone's Internet blog, and kids are treating them the same" in terms of seriousness, he said. "When you see kids being casual about what we believe are the most significant truths of all time," he said, that's when church leaders come to know that many youth don't understand moral choices or the consequences involved.
Many church leaders are now seeing serious problems among teens who "spend much more time with machines than people," even though gospel lessons, moral character and social skills are all learned from interaction with others. "People can't believe you can form an emotional association with a machine, but you can," he said.
Comments
- Delay in Jackson guardianship case 8:47 a.m.
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza 1:37 a.m.
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his 1:23 a.m.
- Girl critical after run-in with train 1:23 a.m.
- Probe of death treated as slaying 1:22 a.m.
- Taylorsville man arrested in robbery 1:21 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- LDS seminary principal arrested
160 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
99 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I love Millsap, and the Jazz will find a way to move Boozer and match for...
i think its childish to assume that somebody would actually want to get...
Millsap and Boozer need to stay in Utah. Millsap is Boozers backup while he...
Childish and immature? Its always easier being ignorant and presuming things...
can you use words like testimony and church leadership to critisize a...
Bro P really helped me through a tough time in my life when I had him in...
These are only allegations at present, but I hope when he goes to trial, the...
My thoughts are with the Pratt family right now. Michael I hope you are...
It is interesting that everyone who seems to be a member comments on how nice...
You presume, simply because they were gay, that they were trying to "stir...


You can be the first to comment on this story.