KICKING THE TECH ADDICTION: PART II
Source/Author: Mike Murphy, Headmaster
January 13, 2017
Dear Reader:
If you did not watch the interview with Simon Sinek that was embedded in the Headmaster’s column of Ebytes from last week, this will not be as clear as I want it to be. The video is worth watching.
If you did not watch the interview with Simon Sinek that was embedded in the Headmaster’s column of Ebytes from last week, this will not be as clear as I want it to be. The video is worth watching.
Do you or do your children text, instant message or email while sitting across from a friend during a meal or at a social gathering? How about messaging the person who is sitting across from you rather than talking? Mr. Sinek referred to this behavior as a sign of an addiction.
Is it possible that we and/or our children are getting greater gratification from the messages we receive on our devices than from the person-to-person contacts we have with others? Despite all the warning our children have received about sexting, why is this activity so common? With all the warning our children have had at school about their digital information being very public and permanent, why do so many continue to expose very personal things about their lives and the lives of others?
Sinek’s analogy of tech addiction - and drug, alcohol and other addictions - rings true. When one is getting such a high or masking so much pain that he/she cannot put down the bottle or phone, that sure seems like an addiction.
We read over and over that one of the best ways to predict healthy adult behavior is knowing how long the adult delayed or avoided altogether behaviors that require sound judgement. We have learned that the longer people delay experimentation with sexual intimacy, alcohol use and drug use, the greater the chances for healthy behavior in later life.
So, Sinek asks, “Why do we not have age limits on technology use?” We have age limits on other addictive substances, why not social media? The issue is not the computer, tablet or phone. The issue is how the computer, tablet and phone are being used.
We know that it is really tough to take back something from an individual. If my child has been allowed to have social media accounts, how do we cut them off? If my child has been allowed to keep devices in the bedroom, how do we now deny that activity? We know the answer and we know the war that is likely to occur with some children and adults.
We need to be the role models. Do we have the willpower to keep our devices closed during meals, social gatherings, conversations and meetings? Can we limit the excuses for why we have to take a call when we are in the midst of a conversation or meeting?
I tend to have more questions than solutions because I believe that breaking an addiction is a choice. Breaking an addiction requires support. Breaking an addiction requires an understanding of why one has an addiction, otherwise, one addiction will be replaced by another.
For parents/guardians of our youngest children, you have a great opportunity to set up clear social media and device use guidelines before behavior, patterns and addictions begin. For parents/guardians of children who are already showing patterns of technology and social media addiction, your ability to help those around you set appropriate boundaries is an important challenge.
Stay tuned and as always, your feedback and ideas are welcome.
Cheers!
Mike
Mike
