Now, more than ever, teenagers not only enjoy but depend on the benefits of technology. While the majority of the nation utilizes technology, teenagers have specifically grown up in a world of iPhones, MacBooks, and Netflix.

Newtown High School students and teachers recently weighed in on how local teens use the Internet and technology.

“I mainly use the Internet on my phone to go through Twitter or Facebook when I’m bored during free period or on the bus,” junior Jessica Petersen said.

Social networking allows teenagers to post pictures, videos, and messages online for others to see. Websites such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are remedies for boredom, senior Taylor Zavatsky said.

For some, however, these applications or “apps” have transcended from an escape from boredom to a money-generating hobby.

“I use Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to tell everyone everything about my life. It impacts me because I’m basically known for it, it’s kind of my hobby,” senior Kevin Droniak said.

Kevin has accumulated 41,100 followers on Twitter, 66,000 followers on Instagram, and 255,255 subscribers on his YouTube account.

New technologies are not only becoming careers, but helpful tools for education. The Internet supplies individuals with a copious amount of information.

“I use Google for everything. It usually leads me to Yahoo Answers because that’s real people answering my question,” senior Kyle Dandrea said.

Useful in information and communication, the Internet is very apparent in the life of a high school student.

“Typically I use the Internet for homework. Practically all of my assignments are on it. I use Gmail a lot; without it I don’t think I could juggle my schoolwork,” junior Jessica Delp said.

With resources such as the Google Drive and Google Docs, it is inevitable to use them for homework, Jessica said.

Teachers at NHS also said they have brought technology into their classrooms.

“Lately I’ve been using my school website more than ever, and it helps a lot. I also like to show YouTube clips in class,” said Thomas Pescarmona, social studies teacher of 12 years.

While some believe the Internet is improving education, others disagree.

“Over the years I’ve noticed kids are reading less. Technology has affected the ability to sustain attention to a text. They try and multitask by reading a little, then texting, then reading more,” English teacher Michelle Toby said.

Dr Toby has worked at NHS for nine years now and said she has noticed a change in her students’ attention spans. “I’m trying to make students aware of how it is affecting their ability to focus on a complicated text,” said Dr Toby.

However, Dr Toby said she has adapted her class to allowing students to read on electronic devices.

For senior Thomas Shaker, the Internet can also be a distraction.

“Honestly, I’d probably end up being a lot more productive without [the Internet],” he said.

What goes hand-in-hand with the Internet is procrastination, Thomas said.

“I feel like my grades would be better and I’d get more homework done after school rather than the next day in homeroom,” junior Jessica Petersen said. While students might have an essay due, the latest Instagram post takes priority, she added.

Teenagers text, tweet, and share information with each other. So much so that school rules have had to accommodate.

“Teachers used to get really offended by texting before, but now, it’s less of a problem. Now that students can use their cellphones in common areas [the library, cafeterias, courtyards], there is less of it in class,” Mr Pescarmona said.