It’s hard to fathom how anyone managed to learn without the internet. Many of us occasionally ponder, “How did I survive before everything was online?” while recognizing that those of us from a certain generation led fulfilling lives without it. Attempting to explain this reality to our children, who have only known life with instant access to information and communication through platforms like Google and FaceTime, can be amusing yet often feels like an exercise in futility. A recent exchange shared by Jenna Harper illustrates this perfectly.
Jenna recounted a conversation her friend had with her college-aged son that is both laugh-out-loud funny and a bit heartbreaking. “I have the mom’s permission to share this, with her son’s name hidden,” Jenna mentioned. The dialogue began innocently enough with the son asking, “How did anyone get through college before email? What did you do if a class was canceled or if there was confusion about homework?” His mother kindly explained that students simply attended class, and if there were any issues, teachers would leave a note on the door.
His reaction was priceless. “So, you mean you had to wake up early to walk all the way there?” he replied, astonished. His mother confirmed, “That’s right.” But the conversation took a turn for the even more comical when he asked how she would know what assignments were due or what groups she was part of. She explained that information was posted on a community bulletin board. The response? “What’s a bulletin board?”
After a detailed explanation about how bulletin boards work, he remained confused. “But how would you read that without walking to the building?” Oh dear boy, it was a whole different time.
This situation resonates with many parents. I once took my teenager to an antique store where she encountered a rotary phone. When I offered her $10 to dial my number, she simply couldn’t grasp the concept that dialing required turning the dial all the way around and starting over if you made a mistake. “Why would you even call anyone when it takes so long? Wouldn’t you just text them?” she asked. Bless her heart.
After a brief tutorial on navigating to a building for job postings, I shared how I got my first job by responding to an index card on a bulletin board. His reaction? “But what if they wanted to link something for more details?” Adorable. When discussing job hunting, he remarked, “I can’t imagine having to talk to someone for that.” While we understand his perspective, face-to-face interaction is still a vital life skill, even today. Or is it?
Jenna concluded, “The struggle is real when it comes to helping our kids comprehend how much easier they have it now.” And indeed, it is.
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Summary
A humorous exchange between a mother and her college son showcases the vast differences in understanding life before the internet. As he grapples with concepts like bulletin boards and direct communication, it highlights the ease of modern technology that today’s youth often take for granted.
Keyphrase
kids’ understanding of pre-internet life
Tags
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