An Oral History: Experiences with the Internet over time

Interview Protocol:

1) Do you remember a time when you didn’t have the Internet? If so, how was your life different then?
2) What did you think of the Internet then?
3) Tell me about the first time you used the Internet? What was if for?
4) What type of service did you have?
5) What were some sites used to use it for?
6) How much did you access them?
7) Describe how you think of the Internet now.
8) What sites do you access now?
9) How much do you access them?
10) How does the Internet affect your life now?
11) After reflecting on your first experiences with the Internet, and about how you use it now, what do you think your Internet use will be like in ten years?

Oral History:

Kayla Skunberg used words like ‘dull’ and ‘disconnected’ to describe her life without the Internet. Breaks between classes in the union are always full of Facebook, checking emails, twittering, and just surfing the ‘net’ for her. Although Skunberg admits that a large portion of her down time is spent using the Internet, she did not realize how dependent she has become until she had an ‘aha moment’ during the interview.

Skunberg’s first experience with the Internet involved a homework assignment in sixth grade about the history of Native American cultures in North Dakota. She never had Internet at home on the farm, and never thought to use it until she had to. Skunberg remembered her teacher giving the assignment, and saying it was necessary to have three Internet sources. The first time she clicked on the Internet link, and pulled up a yahoo search engine, she felt overwhelmed. Skunberg found many sources on Native American culture, and explained how she looked for about four hours before realizing she just needed to pick a few. The dial-up connection moving at ‘turtle speed’ was yet another frustrating factor in the searching process. Eventually Skunberg completed the assignment, but she said it was difficult and overwhelming.

As high school years past, using the Internet became more of a normal part of class assignments. When Internet switched to DSL connection in her school, it became so much easier, and more pleasant to use the Internet. Skunberg said that one hundred percent of her Internet use dealt with homework and projects. It wasn’t until her senior year that she used the Internet for social networking. Skunberg started her first Facebook account, and started communicating with friends she had met through 4-H conventions around the state through email. Sharing pictures and being able to send silly messages was Skunberg’s favorite part about Facebook.

When Skunberg started college, that is when she started using the Internet for ‘everything’, in her words. During class she had her computer with her, breaks on campus were filled with social networking Internet sites, and every class communicated online and had assignments which included using the Internet. Reflecting on that transition into college, Skunberg had an ‘aha moment’ about how dependant she has become on the internet. She described not having access to the Internet as a nightmare and felt like she would not be able to get assignments completed, have access to information as fast, and become completely disconnected from her friends and family.

Skunberg sees Internet usage as a positive and growing trend, which she is comfortable with. In ten years, she thinks she will be even more dependent on the Internet. She explained that many businesses and organizations are forcing people to get online in order to keep up. Skunberg gave an example of 4-H in Minnesota. All 4-H clubs are moving towards having online newsletters and enrollment, rather than sending paper copies out. If people don’t get online and use the Internet, Skunberg says they will be left behind.