Our only granddaughter will be turning one next week. So far, she hasn’t had the obsession with phones her two-year-old brother has. It was his first word, after mom and dad. By the time he walked, he began handing everyone their phone. He made an association that phones belonged in adult’s’ hands.
What kind of world will they be raised in? video games haven’t even begun.
Phones, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Snap Chat, fight for our attention. Before learning the ins and outs of one, a new one is on the market. It can be overwhelming, but more importantly, it’s changing our culture.
Technology has improved my life greatly with increased accessibility for the blind and visually impaired. It appears to do the opposite for some children, though. Staying up most of the night without permission, playing video games, leaves them doing poorly at school the next day. That’s only one example, but those creating technology couldn’t see the future we’re living in. How about us? Are we looking at its impact on our future generation?
Technology is coming fast and furious. It can be good, and it can be misused and abused. I’ve noticed people’s opinion of technology and social media fall into two groups. one, satisfies their own desires by purchasing every gadget out there. The other, sees only the negative results, banning and blasting all technology and social media.
Whatever group you fall into, I’d like to change your focus to learning about both views. We need to be an informed, and responsible, user.
Positive Impacts:
1. Allows for less paper for those wishing to save trees or protect environment.
2. Easier record keeping for those who are repulsed by filing.
3. Information at our fingertips saves time and money. No need for encyclopedias, almanacs, dictionaries, atlases, or phone books.
4. Calendar apps make it super easy to keep track of appointments.
5. Texting reminders is a definite asset…and you have a record yourself. Great accountability.
6. No need for photo albums, photographers, or developing costs. Photos have reached a world of their own.
7. Shopping has been made easier with special apps, codes sent to phones, and ability to comparison shop while in the store.
Negative Impacts:
1. Easy accessibility means interruption. Did I say interruption? interruptions means poorer listening skills. Learning proper conversation skills is almost impossible.
2. Noise pollution. Wherever you go, various phone rings, texting and other messaging sounds can be heard, along with children’s games they’re engulfed in. My mind needs to rest!
3. Gives those you love a sense of less worth. Who or what are you paying attention to?
4. Creates more addictions, as very few set time limits, and video games stimulate the pleasure center of your brain.
5. Gives you a false security from having friends validate you in likes, or by following you.
6. Causes sleep deprivation.
7. Steals time from the present and real-life relationships.
8. Causes wrecks.Remember, “Don’t text, and drive.”
9. Affects brain development. Occupying our attention for long periods means no physical activity, nor time to be bored, and become creative…both components of brain development. Inactivity adds pounds, too.
10. Steals time from God. Which do you do first in the morning? Read your Bible, or check messages? How much do you listen to the sermon verses looking at your phone, even if it is trying to find the scripture verse? How long can you sit still without being rewarded since you’re not being entertained?
It’s obvious technology has impacted our lives, both positively, and negatively. Technology, social media, and gadgets definitely have created problems, but they arent’ the problem. You see, I love technology, but I’m not “in love” with technology. It is a tool for me to use. Control is at my fingertips. What has happened is technology and social media has been allowed to become an uncontrolled forest fire, instead of a controlled fire pit to cook with.
It is time we think ahead, before purchasing gadgets. We need to plan ahead to set boundaries (rules), which could be a whole other post. Then, we need to have the courage to enforce our boundaries and rules.
LET’S TALK. What did you read that you hadn’t thought of before? I’d love for you to let me know in the comments below. If you have something else to add, make yourself right at home.
Give others an opportunity to become responsible users of technology. Share this! Thanks!
© 2018, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
Hi Jena!
In working in a public school we have established cell phone policies written in our school handbooks. If a student violates the policy and their phone is taken away until the end of the school day, to the student, it seems like something tragic has happened.
Some students become very upset, having separation anxiety from their phone and many times they express feelings of anger. It’s like they don’t know what they are going to do….if they don’t have their phone nearby.
Teenagers today definitely have developed an addiction to technology.
Thanks for this informing article!
Robin
Great article! These are the very reasons that I got off all social media. It really has destroyed – or I should say, we have allowed it to destroy – relationships. The days of sitting on the porch sipping lemon aide with a neighbor are gone. We need to actively pursue lives of peace and true relationships.
Hey, Mary. Thanks for commenting. It is in our control to pursue lives of peace and real relationships. I agree – some can do it with social media, and some can not. All things are possible, but not all things are profitable, and God made us all unique. We must all learn our own limitations. Go invest in a soul for the Kingdom! Amen?