Effects of Technology and The Benefits of Unplugging

By Lori Mayfield

Our world today primarily runs on technology.  You now have the ability to start the oven, turn lights on or off, lock doors, open and close blinds in your home using your phone or a remote.  We can view movies on almost any device, order what we want online, see and talk to people around the world through apps and most devices now.  Most of the generations younger than the Baby Boomers have grown up with the technology.

But with all the good that it can be used for, what are some of the harmful effects? 

(Remember, the more time on the internet, the more exposed children, teens, and others are to exploitation from internet sexual predators.)

Young people today, and even the older generations, find it hard to get away from their phones and tablets.  Have you been to restaurants in the last few years and noticed families sitting at tables with no verbal conversations or interactions?  They’re all on their phones! That is one of the negative effects of today’s technology. The majority of communication these days is non-verbal; i.e. social media, email, messaging, etc. People today, especially young people, have very little skill when it comes to interacting with others face to face.  They don’t know how to look people in the eye.  They lack the ability to recognize body language and use proper etiquette in interpersonal conversations.  How many of us can carry on a one-on-one conversation for 10 minutes without glancing at our phones?

I’ve heard of restaurants that will give you a free dessert if you put your cell phone in a basket during the meal.  Great Idea!  How about at home?  What rules are there around the dinner table regarding phones and tablets?  That is if families are even around the dinner table together these days.  Also, what is the example each of us sets for our children or family members?  Do we ask them to spend less time on their devices and yet we are always on ours?  How well do we, as adults, communicate with others?  Have we Baby Boomers forgotten how to function without our phones?  I spoke with someone the other day who has done weekend retreats with young adults where no phones are allowed.  What happened?  They learned how to communicate in person, face to face.  They learned how to interact, read body language, work as a team in sports, preparing meals, and other group activities.  And you know what?  They were happy!  They laughed and teased and had a great time.   And they didn’t miss their phones!!

Let me challenge each of us, including myself, to take time-outs.  Have a day, weekend, or at least part of a day totally unplugged.  Refresh yourself.  Do outside activities like hiking, camping, fishing, etc. with NO phone or tablet along.  Pretend it was the days before mobile phones and tablets came on the scene.  I think we’d all be a little happier and refreshed.

Next blog:  AI in today’s technology