I'v wanted to write about this for quite some time now.
Human interaction as we all know has changed dramatically over the last few years and continues to do so every time a new piece of technology is created. But how do we maintain and ensure that we are fulfilling our most basic and primal needs?
Our kids observe how we communicate and they learn and imitate us. Even without really intending to, we teach our kids the art of communication.
We stare at our screens for so much of day it's shocking. We all see couples at dinner not taking but looking at their screens. Friends out together-but having conversions that have awkward pauses and unnatural breaks in conversations, whilst they are simultaneously having 5 other conversations with people who are not physically present
. All the whilst those people breaking conversations with the people they are actually with! Ok this is confusing! !
What about being available 24 hours a day. I know I usually see my messages usually withing 10 minutes of receiving one. But sometimes quicker... We have whatsapp groups where people respond within seconds. Think about it. What are we all doing at that precise moment.? having a conversation with mum, kids, eating dinner making dinner. ... At the beach ... At the supermarket. .. Some might say it's a good thing being available and communicating 24 hours a day. But I think this is halting life in some way... The way it was supposed to be lived. The essense of each of those activities is some how lost whilst looking at the screen!
Technology is only going to get more advanced and like everyone else I too cannot live without my smart phone. But I do have to consciously put it down full stop.
Human interaction as we all know has changed dramatically over the last few years and continues to do so every time a new piece of technology is created. But how do we maintain and ensure that we are fulfilling our most basic and primal needs?
Our kids observe how we communicate and they learn and imitate us. Even without really intending to, we teach our kids the art of communication.
We stare at our screens for so much of day it's shocking. We all see couples at dinner not taking but looking at their screens. Friends out together-but having conversions that have awkward pauses and unnatural breaks in conversations, whilst they are simultaneously having 5 other conversations with people who are not physically present
. All the whilst those people breaking conversations with the people they are actually with! Ok this is confusing! !
What about being available 24 hours a day. I know I usually see my messages usually withing 10 minutes of receiving one. But sometimes quicker... We have whatsapp groups where people respond within seconds. Think about it. What are we all doing at that precise moment.? having a conversation with mum, kids, eating dinner making dinner. ... At the beach ... At the supermarket. .. Some might say it's a good thing being available and communicating 24 hours a day. But I think this is halting life in some way... The way it was supposed to be lived. The essense of each of those activities is some how lost whilst looking at the screen!
Technology is only going to get more advanced and like everyone else I too cannot live without my smart phone. But I do have to consciously put it down full stop.
Read my next blog about children and the use of smartphones and ipads. From my experiences in working with children with autism, and behavioral issues.
