Lodz, Poland
It is true
the world has become a global village thanks to its advanced technology,
which drastically increased over the past few decades. Nowadays, one could readily get connected to the rest of the
world solely by using electronic devices, such as laptops, tablets and smart
phones. One of the appalling and astonishing traits of such plastic-ware
is the ability to disseminate information and news overseas at the drop of a
hat.
However,
these devices are not necessarily a full package of gifts given to their users;
in fact, they are double-edged swords that affect the social well-being of many users. Therefore, users
should be cautious about the moment when and when not to use such devices. They
should bear in mind every misusage or over-usage can cost them dearly since smart phones may undermine, shorten and
threaten the face to face communication among family members and friends
and among partners and lovers. For example, being emotionally and physically
attached to a smart phone during the whole day
will sabotage many relationships between members of social communities
due to the urge to check the small screens now and then. As a result, those
social communities will dissolve into parts where its members may look like strangers to one another.
According
to the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture, many
relationships were affected by the extensive use of smart phones. The online
poll was conducted by researchers from Penn and Brigham University in
which 143 women were interviewed and asked whether or not smart phones
interfere with their intimate relationships. The findings were shocking as 74
percent acknowledged they were interrupted by their partner’s smart phone while
sharing a special moment around dinner table. Hence, it seems when there is a
tendency for checking devices and texting virtual friends, it is also very
likely the counterpart may feel abandoned if not hurt.
Many years ago, my father introduced
a golden rule to our family’s table manner etiquette; he put a ban on using smart phones during family meals-chiefly
lunch and supper-which seem to be the main meals in each Moroccan family in which every family member is bound to attend. We
also were not allowed to use our gadgets during very significant occasions,
such as religion feasts. The idea behind this golden rule is to keep up with
the traditions and heritage of our ancestors when in days of yore table
meals were a chance of socializing and having heated discussions with members of the family.
It is of paramount
importance to spend quality time face to face with friends and relatives
rather than scrolling through social media. By doing so, you will share social
values with everyone. In golden days Aristotle
stated that "man is essentially a social animal by nature.” This implies
that human-beings are meant to thrive and flourish among society, but
unfortunately when you look around, you soon become aware on the spur of the
moment how people are glued and welded on to their smart phones.
Brandon
T. McDaniel of
The Pennsylvania State University said that “this is likely a circular process
that people become trapped in where allowing technology to interfere, even in
small ways, in one's relationship at least sometimes causes conflict, which can
begin to slowly erode the quality of their relationship,” Indeed, many
relationships have been under major strain, and several couples have seriously
argued because of smart phone addiction. Some of them have even reached the
end of the line.
Not many
moons ago, I
attended a family court-session which was open to students who were interested
in family code legislation. It was a great sunny Thursday in April, at the hall of the court where hordes of people ebbed
and flowed. I entered the main room and sat
on the last row waiting for the case to commence. It turned out that a young
couple filed for legal separation and stood up in front of the judge to
face their doomed day solely because of the excessive use
of the smart phone by the husband. The wife who
seemed well educated was downright motivated and adherent to get her divorce.
She voiced her husband was married to his smart-phone, instead. What is even
worse is she felt herself being objectified, and her role was limited to the kitchen and the
bedroom. On the other hand, her husband testified he was totally obsessed by
his gadget although he tried many times to
minimize its use but to no avail.
It is also
worth pointing out many hobbies and activities
are on decline since smart phones have
preoccupied humans’ lives. Let us consider the
example of niche tourism where tourists are supposed to enjoy the attraction
and the view of certain destinations. The fact is that tourists seem less
enthusiastic to learn some backgrounds and historical events of the attraction.
Instead, they become more involved in taking quick snapshots or selfies that
could possibly trigger the jealousy of others. So, in a rush they upload those
snapshots on social media and wait for likes and comments from their virtual
friends. Not to mention those who merely stay connected in prestige hotels for
the whole vacation. Consequently, after the end of
their tourist journey they find
themselves possessing nothing more than some
pictures which later will vanish from their minds. Even when they try to
walk down the memory lane, they would not find any sturdy moment to recall.
Having said
all this does not mean-to a great extent-that we should campaign and fight
against technology or deprive ourselves from its handful advantages. In this
regard, we may question ourselves who is to be blamed?
I surmise the answer is obvious to everyone who uses his
critical thinking. The key is to redress the balance when it comes to
our gadgets as not to interfere with our social relationships. According to T. McDaniel,
"we should all stop to think about whether our own daily technology use
might be frustrating at times to our family members. Couples should talk about this and set some mutually agreed upon rules. It may be
helpful to block out times of the day when they will turn their devices off and
just focus on one another."
All
in all, smart phones were invented to add a value in the favor of the users, not to make their lives miserable. Therefore, a rational use is required
to prevent any prospect misunderstanding between couples and generally among society. Let us socialize with one another; let us get to know each other and switch off
and disconnect our smart phones for a while and get back to our social norms.
References:
Daria, K. (2015). Connections
Are not Conversations While Technology Enables It Can Also Interfere. The
Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/connections-arent-conversations-while-technology-enables-it-can-also-interfere-51689
https://jonbarron.org/happiness-mental-health/smartphones-killing-relationships
Marjorie, S. M. (2014).
Disconnected Study Suggests Technology Interferes Couple. PennState News.
Retrieved from
http://news.psu.edu/story/337901/2014/12/10/research/disconnected-study-suggests-technology-interferes-couple
No comments:
Post a Comment