Topic: In an age where electronics are everywhere and the need to be stimulated has seemingly increased, has this hurt our kids? If yes, how so and what do you think are some effective ways to repair the damage if any?
Recently, I ran across an article online written about a dinner game called the cell phone stack game. The point of the game is for everyone to stack their cell phone in the middle of the dinner table as they sit down. You are not allowed to reach for your phone during dinner. The person that does reach for their phone (before the check is taken care of) then has to pay for dinner for the entire table. The goal of the game is to force people to put their cell phones down. Now honestly, I thought this was the most ridiculous game EVER, until I paid attention to myself and a group of my girl friends while at a party. We sat in a room together, talked and ate for HOURS, but there was no point and time where one of us didn't have a phone in our hands. And then it dawned on me, our phones have taken over our lives. The bad habit of allowing the world to have access to our time, all the time, has created some new issues, not only in the lives of our children, but in our own as well.
So how do we correct the issues that have risen out of the joy of unending connectivity? Well here are a few things:
1) Do as you say. It is amazing how much we tell children to "get off of the phone (or Facebook) and be productive (or go outside and play)", but how many times are we getting off of the phone or internet to be productive? 9 times out of 10, NEVER. We are on the phones in the car, checking email walking to the building, and checking Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram in the grocery store. Children learn by example. If they constantly see you on the phone, what do you think they will perceive as normal!?! Do as you say and they will follow.
2) Take the time out to set boundaries for technology use. Give yourself and your family the gift and a technology free dinner. Now you may have to remind your family, or yourself, that you will not perish during the hour and a half of dinner. The world will continue to rotate on its axis, and issues that come up, can wait. This is not just about the outside world. Times, like family dinners and car rides, are when children learn how to properly communicate with others. As a parent, you are their primary educator on life skills. If they only see you on the phone from the time you wake up until bedtime, then that is exactly what they will mimic. You must take the time to set boundaries on when it is appropriate, or not, to use technology.
3) Find activities both adults and children can enjoy . So many times children refuse to go play or participate in activities because they are uninterested. Take some time to talk to your child. Find out what they are interested in. EXPOSE THEM TO LIFE and all of the beautiful sights, sounds, and cultures living around us. Getting kids involved with things they love allows them to open up and grow, while also allowing them the opportunity to meet other children (and you, other parents) in which you all have something in common.
5) Let's get real! The reality is that we (adults) defend the use of chidren's cell phone many times because we don't want to be judged for our own constant usage or for using technology as a distraction while we attend to other life duties. Things come up, and iPads are a great distraction for children, but there must be a time where you PUT THE PHONE (or tablet) DOWN! That emergency you HAVE to take, will either be there when you get done with dinner or an outing, OR the adult at the other end of the line will FIGURE IT OUT! Seriously, how many times have you accidentally left your phone at home and when you returned to retrieve it found 3 messages: 1) shear panic over an issue, 2) the "why aren't you answering" message, 3) the "No worries, we figured it out" message. You are NOT the savior of the universe. When forced to, people will resolve issues whether you are available or not. Its all about balance.
In the end, lets not only talk about the effects of technology on children, and look at all of our lives honestly. We have all become dependent on technology. It's always at our reach and the moment it is not we all have a panic attack (yes me included). Take a moment away to rest, refresh, and just hang out with people in person. Face to face conversations boost our creativity and allow us to release emotionally. Spending time with children and showing them the proper time and place for technology will begin to help mend the gap we have created. What are some things you can do to step away from technology for a while? How have you tamed the use of your technology in the past? As always, I want to hear from you. Comment, like, and share below :)
Recently, I ran across an article online written about a dinner game called the cell phone stack game. The point of the game is for everyone to stack their cell phone in the middle of the dinner table as they sit down. You are not allowed to reach for your phone during dinner. The person that does reach for their phone (before the check is taken care of) then has to pay for dinner for the entire table. The goal of the game is to force people to put their cell phones down. Now honestly, I thought this was the most ridiculous game EVER, until I paid attention to myself and a group of my girl friends while at a party. We sat in a room together, talked and ate for HOURS, but there was no point and time where one of us didn't have a phone in our hands. And then it dawned on me, our phones have taken over our lives. The bad habit of allowing the world to have access to our time, all the time, has created some new issues, not only in the lives of our children, but in our own as well.
So how do we correct the issues that have risen out of the joy of unending connectivity? Well here are a few things:
1) Do as you say. It is amazing how much we tell children to "get off of the phone (or Facebook) and be productive (or go outside and play)", but how many times are we getting off of the phone or internet to be productive? 9 times out of 10, NEVER. We are on the phones in the car, checking email walking to the building, and checking Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram in the grocery store. Children learn by example. If they constantly see you on the phone, what do you think they will perceive as normal!?! Do as you say and they will follow.
2) Take the time out to set boundaries for technology use. Give yourself and your family the gift and a technology free dinner. Now you may have to remind your family, or yourself, that you will not perish during the hour and a half of dinner. The world will continue to rotate on its axis, and issues that come up, can wait. This is not just about the outside world. Times, like family dinners and car rides, are when children learn how to properly communicate with others. As a parent, you are their primary educator on life skills. If they only see you on the phone from the time you wake up until bedtime, then that is exactly what they will mimic. You must take the time to set boundaries on when it is appropriate, or not, to use technology.
3) Find activities both adults and children can enjoy . So many times children refuse to go play or participate in activities because they are uninterested. Take some time to talk to your child. Find out what they are interested in. EXPOSE THEM TO LIFE and all of the beautiful sights, sounds, and cultures living around us. Getting kids involved with things they love allows them to open up and grow, while also allowing them the opportunity to meet other children (and you, other parents) in which you all have something in common.
5) Let's get real! The reality is that we (adults) defend the use of chidren's cell phone many times because we don't want to be judged for our own constant usage or for using technology as a distraction while we attend to other life duties. Things come up, and iPads are a great distraction for children, but there must be a time where you PUT THE PHONE (or tablet) DOWN! That emergency you HAVE to take, will either be there when you get done with dinner or an outing, OR the adult at the other end of the line will FIGURE IT OUT! Seriously, how many times have you accidentally left your phone at home and when you returned to retrieve it found 3 messages: 1) shear panic over an issue, 2) the "why aren't you answering" message, 3) the "No worries, we figured it out" message. You are NOT the savior of the universe. When forced to, people will resolve issues whether you are available or not. Its all about balance.
In the end, lets not only talk about the effects of technology on children, and look at all of our lives honestly. We have all become dependent on technology. It's always at our reach and the moment it is not we all have a panic attack (yes me included). Take a moment away to rest, refresh, and just hang out with people in person. Face to face conversations boost our creativity and allow us to release emotionally. Spending time with children and showing them the proper time and place for technology will begin to help mend the gap we have created. What are some things you can do to step away from technology for a while? How have you tamed the use of your technology in the past? As always, I want to hear from you. Comment, like, and share below :)
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