The other day I blogged about a Dateline special where parents got the opportunity to be a fly on the wall, something I sure wouldn’t mind experiencing. There were different segments to the show, with one of the most interesting being about technology.
The show featured some teens that were driving alone. However there was a camera installed inside the cars so it captured some interesting moments. One teen in particular hit a mailbox. The reason he hit the mailbox? He was texting.
Yet as the narrator of the show explained, he was only doing what he had seen his own parents do. An expert on the show said that parents are actually texting more than teenagers are.
Part of this segment also featured a group of 4 to 7 year olds who were quite aware of the role that technology plays in their families. They were talking about how all their parents do is text and talk on their phones. The sad thing is that many of them expressed how they weren’t getting to spend time with their parents because they were so busy on their phones. Ouch!
I started really thinking about my need to always be plugged in. If it’s not texting or talking on the phone, it is my computer. Yes, I do seem to always be plugged in. So it is no wonder that I see my teens engaging in the same activities, not that it is all they do but it is still something they frequently participate in.
This isn’t to say that technology is bad. Just last night I was able to share some wonderful text messages with my 16-year-old son who went to Chicago with his uncle and cousin to see a concert. The fact he was in another state yet able to constantly update me on things was a real joy.
However as with anything in life it comes down to balance. And so I do think that there probably does come a time when we really need to just unplug from technology. Our teens need to see us do that too.
In fact there are some moments in the day when all technology should be turned off, such as eating together as a family. While driving there should be a rule of no talking on the cell phone and obviously, no texting. I think if we can begin to establish some “no technology zones” and take moments throughout the day where we unplug from technology, we might be setting a better example.
Think about the example you are setting. Would you say it’s time to unplug from technology?