As I sit here typing this blog, I have a three internet tabs open. One to my bank website, espn.com and cnn.com. I have my iPad next to me streaming a hockey game and I have a football game on our living room TV. And, don’t forget my smart phone that is sitting next to my, open to my Twitter and Facebook feeds. I am consumed by the internet and technology.
It is really amazing how far computers, the internet and cell phones have come in just the last ten years. When I started high school (class of ‘98 (editors comment–he’s so old!) everyone had a computer. But, you were lucky to be able to do anything with it except type a paper or play a few computer games. The internet certainly existed, but access was hard to find and it was usually pretty slow. The only cell phone I new of, was the kind you connected to your car and was for “emergencies” only. There was no texting access to the internet through your phone.
All that seems like it was so long ago looking back. Fast forward to 2012 and I can’t get away from all of this technology. Don’t get me wrong, I love being so connected. There are so many things about all of this technology that make life so much easier. I can stay connected to my family and friends through Facebook and Skype. I can watch all of my favorite sporting events through a variety of websites and apps (even on my phone!)
If I need to know how to do home improvements or car repair I can turn to Google and YouTube. All of this quick and convenient access makes life so much easier.
The part the bugs me about all of this technology is when and how do we get away from it. In our family, we can’t go ten minutes without checking Facebook or Twitter. At any given time we have two laptops, an iPad, cell phones and remote controls all with in arms reach or in use. We spend more time interacting over the internet and through our phones, than we do with the people in the same room.
I’m guessing we are no different than most families out there. Everyone is on the internet all the time. The internet is so big and there is so much to see and do, that it’s easy to get lost in it. But, what does all of this time buried in your computer do to your family relationship? What are we teaching are kids, if it is more important to be making that next move on Words with Friends, then playing a game with them. I’m probably as much an offender of this as anyone. At work, at home, and in the car, I have TOO MUCH TECHNOLOGY!
Some of this is necessary for work, some of this has just replaced other forms of entertainmentut, but there has to be a point when it becomes too much OR is it only going to get worse? I’m sure we are not too far away from having the ability to display all of our social media feeds on our windshield so we can see them as we drive down the road.
What do you all think? How do you balance technology and family time?
Matt,
I totally agree about all the perks of technology but as an older techie and high school teacher I can tell you that the young people of today…aka teenagers are becoming too obsessed. I had to take a cell phone away from a young lady during a test(she was just answering a text…and I do believe her) however her reaction when I told her she would have to pick it up later in the day at the main office (and that was IF she had the money to pay the fine…$15 ..not my rule) she burst into tears. Her problem wasn’t the $15 but that she didn’t know how she would be able to talk to her friends at any given time. She was really distraught!! They absolutely have the hardest time obeying any rules that apply to the non-use of their phones during school. They can’t do it.
I also believe that we as a society are becoming the most impatient individuals and that is because we have people and everything at our fingertips almost immediately. I love google and all that I can learn but I do worry about the youth of today and what they are to become because they will have grown up with it all of their lives. Kids may become more saavy in the knowledge area but I fear that their societal skills are going to go downhill.
You are so Right! I am constantly feeling guilty for my obsession with technology but for some reason, it (technology) always wins. Even my 3-year-old is obsessed. what are we setting them up for, i Wonder? Maybe I should quit reading this blog for a bit and play with Him? Thanks for the Reminder!