Andrew Fast next in 2016-2017 MLHS senior student editorial series
Technical Difficulties
Computers, iPhones, iPods, laptops, video games, TV – tools of the 21st century. They are useful, fun and here to stay because they have become so integrated into our daily lives. A person can hardly walk into a room without seeing someone on his or her devices. These devices work to make our lives easier, but they may be robbing us of our time and attention and even our health.
No one wants to waste time, but minutes and often hours are wasted when people check their devices and become blissfully ignorant of the passing time. People believe that checking their devices is worth the time they are losing, but that is not always the case. According to socialpilot.com, Twitter users spend an average of three hours on their website per day – time that could be better spent doing other activities, such as enjoying hobbies, hanging out with friends, or playing a sport. Parents often try to get their children away from too much screen time, yet too many children have their devices within arm’s reach even when they are asleep. Social media and movies offer distractions for people when they check their devices, making them feel like they are accomplishing something when they are really wasting time. Limiting the access to technology is one way that parents could protect their kids, but most people should place their own limits on how much they use their devices.
These devices also rob us of our attention. Being able to focus one’s attention is a vital skill in conversing. Unfortunately, conversations are often interrupted by people looking down at their devices to text or see what is trending, thus missing what is being said. Conversations are cut short, sentences trail off, and thoughts are left unsaid. This psychological need to know what is happening influences a person to look at a device and ignore what is happening in the present. The devices today allow quick and easy access to Snapchat, Facebook, and other apps, which reinforces the cycle of losing track of what is occurring. Music devices also contribute to the distraction as earbuds, headphones, and speakers blast music in our ears, making it difficult to think clearly and often ruin the possibility of having an intelligent conversation.
Finally, too much screen time has a harmful effect on the user’s health. According to bustle.com, studies have shown that the blue light projected from the screens damages the retina in the eye and affects how the brain interprets information. This is harmful to children because it affects their emotional development and processing. In addition, too much screen time can even result in a shortened lifespan, perhaps due to the combination of staring at a screen and the lack of exercise. The addictive behavior of needing know what is happening can cut into sleeping hours, which results in less productivity and awareness during the day. Also, checking the device while driving can lead to an accident; distraction.gov reported that 3,179 people were killed in 2014 by distracted driving.
In conclusion, technology is all around us; therefore, it is wise to consider how it is affecting us. Technology takes our time away from others, distracts us from our own lives, and robs us of our health. Ultimately, technology may be useful, but the cost of our attention, time, and health reveals the dangers of screen time.