Today’s generation—Gen Z, Alpha, and even the emerging Beta—are often labeled as extremely smart. They seem to have mastered every corner of technology. But is that really true? What does being smart actually mean? Does knowing how to use modern technology alone make someone truly smart?
Nowadays, people who follow the latest fashion trends and are familiar with modern gadgets are often considered “smart.” In reality, the definition is quite the opposite. A truly smart person is one who possesses knowledge, taste, and manners. Sadly, these qualities are gradually fading among today’s youth. They may know how to use a smartphone or search Google, but they often depend on it for even the smallest piece of information. Whenever they face a critical problem, they immediately turn to Artificial Intelligence for help. Their sense of taste changes daily with new trends, and unfortunately, using offensive language is often mistaken for confidence. This is indeed a worrying reality.
But why has this generation become so dependent on technology? And what will their future look like? These are questions that deserve serious thought.
The main reason behind this growing dependence is the easy accessibility and speed of technology. Due to globalization, life has become faster and more interconnected. Smartphones, the internet, and tools like Google are now within everyone’s reach. This convenience has made us increasingly reliant on technology for almost everything.
Digital platforms now provide instant solutions to almost any problem. As a result, many young people prefer a quick, ready-made answer over spending time thinking and solving problems on their own.
Education too has become largely digitalized. Online classes, e-books, and YouTube tutorials have made learning materials easily available. These digital platforms have revolutionized the way students learn, making them more dependent on technology than ever before.
Moreover, in today’s era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, technology has become an unavoidable part of life. Skills such as coding, data analytics, and artificial intelligence are now essential for employment. To survive in this competitive future, young people are naturally being drawn toward technology.
At first glance, this dependence on technology may seem beneficial. After all, it helps us solve problems faster, increases job opportunities, encourages innovation, and reduces educational inequality. So where’s the problem? Ironically, that question itself points to the real issue.
While technology makes our work faster, it also reduces our patience and critical thinking ability. Overreliance on Google has weakened our creativity, memory power, and capacity for deep analysis. Fewer people now take the time to think independently.
Excessive use of technology also creates addiction, leading to both physical and mental harm. Prolonged screen time causes eye strain, insomnia, and other health problems. Socially, it widens emotional distance—people spend more time in virtual worlds than in real relationships. Research shows that many individuals are losing empathy, social manners, and meaningful human connection.
Among all these concerns, digital security has become the most alarming issue. Online privacy violations, cyberbullying, and hacking incidents are increasing at an unsettling rate.
As the saying goes, “A matchstick can light a stove or burn a house — it depends on how you use it.” Likewise, technology itself is not harmful, but being completely dependent on it is dangerous. Using technology for convenience is fine, but relying on it for everything leads to dependency.
Therefore, today’s and tomorrow’s generations must understand that it’s not just about using technology — it’s about using it wisely and responsibly.
