Gen X vs Gen Y vs Gen whaters??

I am a Gen Xer. I grew up in a home without cable television. My parents lived in the boondocks of Johnson County, KS (yes, we had running water). Whereas my friends had cable (which meant MTV), I was forced to live a life of the outdoors, mainly riding horses. I loved my childhood but I always felt like I missed out on the cool dance moves back when MTV actually played music videos.

In my home, we had one computer with a 14" monitor. It was a Texas Instrument computer that literally took all day to download one item. While I waited, I would use my fancy schmancy electric typewriter and pretend to type memos to famous people.

There was no caller id. When the phone rang, you answered it. If it was a telemarketer you hoped you qualified as a recruit for the focus group so you could get some extra money.

I bring this up because I read an article the other day about the differences between Gen Xers and Gen Yers. Yes, there is a huge gap. But then I started thinking how my kids' generation will be labeled. Being a teenager in today's world is very, very different.

For example, I know what my kids ate for their school lunch and how much lunch money remaining in their accounts by checking a website.

I know what homework is due and by when simply by logging onto a website.

I know what grade they are getting just by referring to the website.

I know their cell phone activity; who they are talking to, when they are talking, and the text messages they send by checking a website.

Yes, as a parent, the information technology is wonderful--not so much for the kid I guess.

I guess missing out on MTV seems a little trite when I put it all into perspective.

What are your thoughts?