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| Image by Petr Kratochvil |
The reaction to losing a cell phone is so visceral, so intense. In my mind, it was unwarranted, but I didn't understand what was going on underneath. I eventually came to understand the role of the cell phone in a teenager's life. It is their connection to the social world, but it can also be a crutch that limits the ability to conduct true face-to-face friendships.
Many of my former high school students are now college students and the cell phone has moved to a different (although important) role. It is the link to what was left behind in high school. At some point the real work of developing new relationships must begin.
Loneliness is a top reason why people drop out, and I wonder what the role of the cell phone is in all this. We need face-to-face friendships.
Our society is still "negotiating" the rules surrounding digital media, so there is a lot of disagreement regarding what is offensive. To put it simply, our usage of digital media should not come at the expense of reality. How often have you seen two people sitting next to each other texting away ignoring each other? Pity the poor fool who has to stand there "looking stupid" while their companion texts. Most likely the other will whip out their phone to look busy. Texting is a way to look busy, but we don't need to be busy. In fact busyness can cause us to neglect what is really important (Luke 10:41-42) .
If any activity hinders our true calling, than that
activity has become a problem and should be jettisoned (Hebrews 12:1). God has
called us to love Him with true concentration.
It is hard to do that when we have filled every second with something. There is opportunity in boredom and we don't need to be externally stimulated in every waking moment. Pondering takes time and quietness.
""Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10.
This post is one in a series with the Christian Writers Blog
Chain. This month’s topic is ‘Pursuit’. You can find
links to the others in the blog chain in the link list to the left.
It is amazing and many times discouraging to see the "addiction" to cell phones. I do agree with what you say that it tends to make it harder for face to face relationships. I haven't made it to a smart phone yet - haven't felt the need for one, but maybe I'm just fighting to force myself to keep the face to face stuff.
ReplyDeleteAssuming small tweaks to a system can bring about significant change, what could be done to recapture our society from the grip of the digital obsession?
DeleteI've been laughed at for suggesting rabid cell phone usage was an addiction. "How can that be?" they argue. "It's not like I'm taking meth or anything like that." Yet it still releases endorphins, the chemical that can't get enough of whatever activity drives it. I have also seen friends sit together, but rather than engage in verbal conversation like normal people, they're texting each other instead. Teens have been dumbed down, thanks to our too-rapidly-growing technology.
ReplyDelete~ VT
"Digital Crack" is a term that polarizes. An addiction thrives in denial, maybe we need interventions and a 12-step program...
DeleteI totally agree.
ReplyDeletegood post
Thank you Jack!
DeleteGreat post Mike, Spot on! As an "old-schooler" I don't get it? because to me it is a "gadget" So many gadgets came and went through the 60's, 70's and 80's We grew up and away from gadgets. Now these gadgets are a "hard wired" part of society - even as a job requirement. As silly as they seem, the real tragedy is the social skills impact- people come together and have nothing to talk about. It is sad since we are designed for relationship, share ideas and emotions through personal interaction.
ReplyDeleteI don't see this technology ever departing only growing, but at what cost? Peace and blessings
I don't get it either, but it doesn't matter that we get it because this generation of young adults has fully integrated their lives around digital communities. Genuine relationships take time and face to face contact and a commitment to be genuine. Integrity is almost necessary in any real relationship; however, digital relationships do not require this integrity.
DeleteRegardless of how we view this, We aren't going back. So the question remains as to how we can recapture genuine relationships if we have allowed our relationships to slide into shallow acquaintances.
Interesting post, Mike. Having "lived" in the First Century for the last five+ years while doing my Seeds of Christianity Series, I've become fascinated with the fact that being a teenager is a relatively modern invention. In days past, you were either a child or an adult. There was no in-between period when you acted out and "found" yourself. Some examples: Octavian was 12 when he gave the eulogy for his grandmother in Rome. At 18 he accompanied Caesar into war against Pompey and at 21 was co-regent with Antony. Nero became Emperor of Rome at 17 and Herod Antipas was 18 when Caesar appointed him Tetrarch of Galilee. My how times have changed.
ReplyDeleteEd,
ReplyDeleteVery insightful.I just read a book called "Sticky Faith." It states that even in the last 10 years the conceptualization of a young adult has shifted. Young adults are less able to run their lives due to societies lowered expectations on them. Parents by and large have neglected their duty to raise independent adults. This why the "teenage" years have now seeped into the late 20's.
It's an interesting one Mike. As an introvert, I was never very comfortable with face to face interactions. I'm 34 now, but my early twenties I retreated a little into a virtual world. At the time it was mainly Java-based web chats since social networking wasn't quite on the scene yet. I learned some skills during that time and gained some confidence which would ultimately help me back in the 'real world'. I think it was meeting the woman who would become my wife (ironically online) that helped pull me back into reality - otherwise what I'd learned online wouldn't have done me much good.
ReplyDeleteI guess anything can be used for both good or bad - but too much of anything isn't healthy.
I do find myself surprised by how many teenagers have mobile phones these days. Where is the money coming from? I find it hard enough to pay for my own phone bill some times, let alone forking out for one for my kids as well. Once my kids hit teenage hood it will be a very interesting world, and I'll be the old man saying "back in my day..."
Hi Adam,
ReplyDeleteKids are forgoing other things we might have considered more important in years past in order to have a cell phone. I am also highly introverted, but have forced myself out of my shell, but I still retreat to re-energize. Face to face conversation takes a lot of work and for introverts it is harder. Technology has made it easier for us to isolate.
Wow. What a timely post. I also teach at a high school, and cell phones are a fact of life. Individual teachers are allowed to make their own policies in regard to technological devices and I allow them in class for certain things. Kids use them during silent reading; for research; as a way to spell check/ access the dictionary; as a scheduler for tests and assignments; to find pictures or other imagery for art class ... you name it. I've found them to be a very useful tool and it almost seems like kicking against the goads to try to ban them. HOWEVER, there are those that abuse my policies about use and then I have to take them away...
ReplyDeleteThis topic also makes for a great debate among teens themselves. Like most things, there are pros and cons and when used responsibly, cell phones are a great asset in the classroom. I do see the degredation of personal interaction to some degree, though.
Hi Tracy,
DeleteSince we went to the ban, some kids have told me they are relieved to not be always on call when friends text them.
I, too, have seen kids text to each other while sitting in the same room. As someone who grew up without cell phones, this blows my mind. Makes one wonder what they're going to be like when they're adults.
ReplyDeleteGreat take on this topic, Mike.
Thank you Deborah. It could be that they turn out fine as many people do when they mature, but the overall society will probably be more isolated.
DeleteWow! Great post. There's a whole lot that can take us from our pursuit. Lots to think about here. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol. I realized this weekend that my digital crack isn't my cell phone it is my laptop. A lot of what I am doing is work, but there comes a point when I go overboard towards workaholism.
DeleteMy high school generation was around 2001, just before the whole facebook, social media craze. It's amazing how different my generation is to the one going strong now. This is a very thought-provoking post. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSuzette,
DeleteSome of this is dependent on parents and what they are willing or able to afford. I still see quite a few kids with no cell phone.
Great post, Michael. Being older, I'm not so hooked on my cell phone and texting. In fact, I tend to keep the phone on silent most of the time since my work involves answering the office phone and I'd rather not have that intrusion on my off-work hours.
ReplyDeleteI'm more likely to get hooked on checking my email than anything else. When I'm bored, I'll log on to my email accounts and see if anyone has bought my book, bought some jewelry from the Etsy shop, replied to my comments on the social networks, posted a comment on my blogs, etc. It's the digital version of my college mailbox-checking ritual, and I have to fight the tendency toward addiction.
I over-check my e-mail too. I have to watch out that I don't go overboard.
DeleteToo many natural pursuits have gotten in the way of our most important pursuit, our spiritual pursuit of God. Great post, Mike. Sorry I'm so late. Life has been a bit demanding lately.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, life is demanding. Thanks for stopping by
ReplyDelete