There are times when I’m writing that I just stare out the window thinking. I have often observed young people walking down the sidewalk with ear buds in and text messaging. I get the feeling that this continues when the young person gets home.
Texting: I admit that I will text someone in the house with me rather than go and talk to them. That is usually because I am downstairs and they are upstairs. If I am doing that I’m pretty sure that kids are. Why get up and go to where a person is if you can text?
Too Busy: When my teachers gave assignments they had to keep in mind that we would have to physically go to the library to get information for any reports or term papers. That was calculated into the amount of time given for the assignment to come due.
That isn’t needed anymore. In fact, schools are giving children as young as sixth grade iPads so they can finish their assignments faster. All the teachers think it’s great because the children can learn more and faster. That’s great… unless your child has five teachers that want a four page (word processed) report with bibliography inside a week. When is the child supposed to get exercise?
Instant Gratification: If you want to know something there are pieces of technology all over most of our houses that will help you do so. If you want to watch something you don’t have to go to a video store. There are quite a few companies that provide what you want to watch from the comfort of your living room. The same applies to many video games. If you want to buy something you don’t have to go to the store.
All at Home: Technology is great but it has some drawbacks. When it’s too much effort to get up and go talk to someone *in the same house* technology is creating part of our obesity problem, especially with our children.