Technology and Responsibility
Recently, I spoke to a seasoned registered nurse who spent most of her days caring for those in a prison/institutional setting. We chatted about the rare disorders that ailed my sons and about liver diseases that affected other young children. As we continued, our conversation about hardened hearts, environmental criminals and kindred souls evaporated into the topic of technology.
Her statement about this was something to the likeness of “It (technology) definitely leans more to the good than to the bad.”
As I pulled weeds, folded laundry and answered emails, I was forced to think about her thought today.
I settled with the idea that if technology is paired with responsibility than her statement would ring true… technology in fact does lean toward the good.
But for those who have teens – or worse yet – tweens, adolescents who think they have a complete handle on their world, and their future lives (or those who don’t), technology without responsibility sways to the negative.
I pondered today how often technology had intervened in my sons’ lives, two whom were saved by plastic technology in forms of a breathing tube. I marvel at the assistive devices that have helped them stand or communicate, and I smile at the ease of the technology that has allowed me to talk and see my daughter, when out of necessity, I need to be away from her. I continue to be amazed at how technology allows loved ones from all over the world communicate in an instant and see milestones through a snapshot or a quick link video.
What I also see, however, is that without the responsibility factor – many can – and are glued to technology without noticing that life is passing them by. Their heads are bent and their hearts fixated on the next bleep from a hand-held device or a screen that, although flatter, has become bigger.
Here is my advice:
Limit Television. That is right, even the conventional techno-form of T.V. interrupts our family world more often than we may realize.
Set Boundaries. Yes boundaries for where and when the cell phone is to be used. Set certain cut off time for teens. Allow the cell to charge at the kitchen counter after a certain hour.
Never Have Your Cell at the Dinner Table. Make sure communication is a priority in the form of words, eye contact and touch.
Limit Phone Use During Celebrations. Is it really necessary to take a selfie or pictures every 10 seconds? Capture the moment then hide the phone away.
Teachers – Collect them in a bucket or enforce out-of-sight policies – Trust me your students will fare far better.
So, surely in this brazen world of technology, I must agree that it is a positive thing! It has its rightful stage. But, without responsibility, technology may be a negative chip in the building blocks of real life.
