Today’s comic was based on a news story I read that mentioned that the percentage of teenagers applying for driver’s licence has been falling for years. There a lot of theories but the fall off has increased lately and most believe kids just don’t see as much importance in driving anymore when they can communicate with their friends so easily on multiple devices. On the plus side I guess that means less people on the road and less pollution on the down side less people are not taking face to face as much anymore. Gotta take the good with the bad I suppose.
One statistic in the article: “…found that 46.2 percent of the nation’s 16 year olds had licenses in 1983, compared to 31.1 in 2008, a drop of 15.1 percent.”
I think some states don’t give you a license until you are 17 or 18… I know that was the case when I was growing up in NJ – I wonder how that would factor into that survey?
The truth is that they are all too busy playing Halo and don’t want to run their parents errands.
Interesting if it truly is a new trend. Technology is changing everything.
You’re right, Frank. A lot has changed now that technology has brought people closer together. When I was younger, you had to wait an entire summer to see your friends again unless you had access to a vehicle. Nowadays kids are together 24/7 via text and Facebook. They don’t need to drive around as much to find out what’s poppin’.
Technology is taking all the tactile experience out of life! I read this in the Scientific American: “Many children who have not had ample physical and emotional attention are at higher risk for behavioral, emotional and social problems as they grow up.” I blame it all on the I-Pad!
Kids not eager to get their 1st car??? Bizarre. How does a phoen ipad etc replace the need for a car. Kids these days are just weird