Just 10 or 15 years ago we witnessed various campaigns to get families to turn off the television and find other forms of recreation. Schools had "No TV Challenges" and networks encouraged educational and informative programming for children. While television itself is innocent -it is simply an electronic device -we recognized that uncontrolled viewing is detrimental to socialization, physical activity, and brain activation. Since commercials drive me crazy, I avoid much television but I do watch news, sports, and a few other shows. I have nothing against a few hours of viewing. It is the "mesmerization of minds" that I fear.
Television, however, has become a minimal intrusion on lives and minds as we have submerged our brains in portable electronics. At least a TV set is fairly limited to an electrical outlet. You can watch it at home, but not in the car, on the plane, or in a restaurant. If there is a power outage, peace and quiet arrive; if a fuse blows, serenity prevails. Not so with electronics. Phones, iPads, and similar devices travel easily in the hand or a pocket and pick up signals almost everywhere. Never before have we been so connected to everything and everyone around the globe while not acknowledging a loved one across the table or a best friend sitting should-to-shoulder. We tap and click, explore and examine, head for Facebook or Twitter without raising an eyebrow or an eye. While we may be creating "citizens of the world", we are failing to engage and bond with those who are most important in our lives.
Many students come to school exhausted. Having been up until midnight and after with games and electronic communications, they do not get the required rest necessary for intellectual stimulation. They doze and wander, rather than learn in wonder. They can busily (and secretly) message a friend during lecture, but then not comprehend mathematical equations or historical facts. Inattention to lessons brings furtive restlessness in homework and exams. Students are smart and capable, but I see enormous learning gaps due to a human disconnect and our current electronic interconnect.
My great nephew has always been a reserved boy. He'll speak when spoken to after pausing in his computer play, but rarely does he initiate conversation or suggest a walk or other diversion. When I visit, he may come say his cursory "Hi", but often I do not see him at all unless I discover his secret cove where he is entrenched with his games. School has not been easy even though he is quite capable. He tends to not listen, to mumble his responses, and to generally check out of instruction and classroom engagement. He is currently enrolled in summer school to help him catch up in course work, but as he studied each day during our family reunion, I wondered how much "study" took place as he iPadded away. It scares me for him; he frightens me for our society. What happens when we no longer conect as humans but rather as gadgets and mechanical automatons?
Here is your challenge. Hide the electronics for at least one week. Choose a deep, dark secret hole where you cannot find them, nor can your children or grandchildren. I recommend a safe with a locking mechanism and code for opening that is conveniently concealed. Expect withdrawal symptoms from you as well as the kids. Adults love their games and iBooks as they cling to the phones every chime and each random internet post. Now practice eye contact. I have found that when I address young students I must lean down below eye level until our eyes meet and then "pull" their heads up by lifting my head as their eyes follow. Many are so used to a downward stare that they do not know how to automatically raise their eyes when spoken to. Test this with your children. Do they look at you and at others or are their eyes focused down? I know you will see their attention grow with each non-electronic day.
As a family select some activities to fill the void of clicks and taps. The library has real books to be checked out plus many other fun-filled offerings. The swimming pool is glorious, the park a marvel. We have canyons for hikes and picnics and streets for bike rides and jobs. One week! Are you up to the challenge of creating a new family dynamic based on real life connections?[[In-content Ad]]
