Technology - Good or Evil?

Lately I have been wondering at the technology available in our world today. We have smart phones, desktops, laptops, tablets, and now even watches that bring the world and information to wherever we are in the blink of an eye. It has made us more knowledgeable, aware of the world around us and connected to people all over the world. Information is available immediately and profoundly, right, wrong or indifferent.  And while having information is good, I’m not so sure it’s the best thing to have it at our fingertips 24/7.

 

Technology has isolated society, teaching them that communication is better done via a gadget than face to face. People’s opinions are screaming at us from all angles, news reports send “breaking news” alerts to tell us of the latest tragedy. Bad news overrides good and social media has brought bullying and worse into our very homes via the internet.

The art of conversation has been lost. We sit with our faces plastered to screens instead of looking each other in the eyes. (And I am just as bad as anyone…I even blog from my phone) Stunted text messages convey messages that can be easily misinterpreted without the body language that is so vital to true communication.

I may be old fashioned or nostalgic, but I miss the days of front porch conversations and Sunday family dinners.  I miss the card parties, the family functions with kids playing games and talking, and outdoor activities. I dream of the days when kids ran free outside, not tethered to the wall by a cord. I long for human connection (even as a severe introvert). I long to be heard, acknowledged, and understood, seen and validated.

 

I am sorely tempted to turn the internet off at home, swap out the cell phone for a landline with an answering machine. I want to put a sign up on the door that says:

I understand the benefits of having a cell phone for emergencies. I also know that children today need to have internet at home just to do homework.  This is technology used for good. But how does one balance the good with the evil? I have come up with a few suggestions or ideas…

1.    Do not purchase smart phones/iPods. These lead to isolating behaviors and can create divisions in families. If cell phones are that much of a necessity, purchase old standard phones that do not have internet access. Or use the pre-pay phones. These can be used in an emergency but won’t cause people to have their faces glued to the screen.

2.    Set timers on the internet for use during needed hours only. If kids need it for school or adults need it for work, set it to shut off during non-needed hours (8 PM to 8 AM maybe?)

 

3.    Instate a “No Cellphone” Policy with guests. Of course if you do not have Wi-Fi this will limit the usage while they are at your home, but if this is not the case, a no cellphone rule makes it clear that you would like to visit with them, not sit and watch them on their phones.  

4.    If your child has friends over, collect electronic devices so that they spend time with each other, not online. (I did this for Princess Pea’s 13^th Birthday Party and the girls all said it was the best birthday party they had been to!)

I know that in today’s world, these ideas will be balked at, shied away from or even laughed at. Most people see technology as a necessary evil that can’t be avoided. I beg to differ. By making conscious choices in our lives, we can use it for what it was meant to be…a help. We need to realize that human interaction is being sacrificed for the sake of technological advances and our families, friendships, children and relationships are suffering because of it.  And we need to make an effort to stop or slow down how technology negatively affects us now, before we lose our children to its grip.