By Mandy Green
Today, technology is seen as an amazing thing – something that makes everyone’s lives easier. But do we ever stop to think about the cost of our ever-mounting dependence on technology?
I recently read an article that made me sit back and think about just how much I depend on my Smartphone being at my hip and how it is affecting my relationships. Long gone are the days of sitting and having a deep conversation with someone face-to-face. Now it’s easier to text or e-mail them the moment we have a thought. And while this is convenient, it’s also impossible to see the reaction of the person to whom you are speaking.
How many times have you received a message and wondered if it was sarcastic or nasty in nature. That’s because no matter what you do, technology does not convey emotion…unless you make use of every single emoticon there is. Does this take something away from our personal relationships and interaction? I am starting to think so.
In today’s technology-driven world it might be hard to remember a time where your family sat down and ate an entire meal together without stopping to check phones for the latest Facebook update or e-mail from the office. How much of the current moment are we missing when we have so many other things going on around us?
If you sit in a restaurant and look around, a growing majority of people have their phones in their hand and are doing something that whether they realize it or not is more important then spending time with the people they are physically with. At least that is the message they’re sending.
Technology can be a great resource, but sometimes we rely on it way too much without realizing the effects it might have. Everyone should have a technology free night every once in a while and get back to enjoying the simple things in life. Play a board game with your family, or sit and talk over dinner. Or, do the unthinkable, take a vacation and leave your phone at home. Facebook and that email can wait, but spending time with the people you love and being 100% in the moment cannot
