The world is slowly but surely welcoming Generation C, which stands for the "communicating, computerized, connected" generation. Using computers, the Internet, social networking sites and smartphones is becoming second nature to those born after 1990 ? and even to many of those who were born before the digital era.
Technology has forever changed the way people communicate, play, study, and work, with gadgets becoming a big part of many people's lives. As useful as they are, there comes a point when the reliance on technology can get out of hand. If it's getting harder for you to live in the moment because you have to constantly go online on your personal computer, smartphone or tablet due to want rather than need, then you may be suffering from technology addiction.
What are the signs that you are addicted to technology?
Because the latest gadgets are more useful than ever, they are also more addictive. One clear sign of technology addiction is having difficulty controlling the urge to make an impulsive purchase whenever a shiny new device has been released, even though a lot of them are not very useful. Even if your credit card has no problem keeping up with the rate the likes of Apple and Samsung are churning out model after model of computers, phones, phablets, and tablets, you can't use all of them at the same time.
Has Siri become your new BFF? Do you still have a life or an iLife? Technology makes life easier, but it's easy to get carried away. While it's good to stay connected, you know you have a problem if you find it hard to disconnect to the point that you barely have time for other activities. Millions of people are spending hours and hours monitoring Facebook and/or Twitter feeds, emails, and text messages; watching streamed movies, television series and YouTube videos; or playing phone applications and online networking games. But just because a lot of people are doing it doesn't necessarily mean that it's healthy.
With mobile technology, anyone with a smartphone and Internet connection is just an email or instant message away. You don't even need to be online; you can just send a text and get immediate feedback. Connectivity is very useful for those who have loved ones who live in another state or overseas. It also allows you to respond quickly to a crisis or emergency. But the same connectivity can also interfere with your other activities and your relationships with others. Your effort to stay connected with the outside and digital world may cause you to get "disconnected" from those who are around you.
Imagine sitting on a table, supposedly to share a meal and catch up with family or friends. Suddenly, everyone starts whipping out their notebooks, phones and tablets and placing them next to their plates. After a bite or two, they pick their phones up and start chatting, texting and updating. Before you know it, the meal is over and everyone heads out. You know you have a problem if you can't stop fiddling with your phone when you're in the middle of another activity with your friends or even if you're doing something for yourself, like attending a Yoga class, and you don't care if you look anti-social.
Taking back control
While there are probably no business phone numbers for those seeking help for tech addiction, it's undeniable that gadgets and the Internet have caused people to develop unhealthy habits. Researchers who led "The World Unplugged" project found that tech addiction symptoms are common among young adults around the world, as most of them were unable to voluntarily stay away from cellphones, computers, MP3 players and televisions for 24 hours. Scientists have also studied the "phantom vibration syndrome," a psychological phenomenon characterized by perceiving vibrations from a device that is not really vibrating. In short, it's imagining that someone has sent you a message even though your device has not received anything yet.
Like any other addiction, admitting that you have a problem is the first step. Don't let FOMO (the fear of missing out) get to you. So what if you don't have an iPhone 5? The iPhone 6 is probably coming out soon. But seriously, you don't need to buy a new gadget every six months. As long as your device still serves you well and has not sustained irreparable damage, it's still good. The FOMO on what's happening with your family and close friends should always be greater than the FOMO on your social networking updates. The person you are with deserves your full attention, so save the screen time for later. Read a book or a magazine in the bathroom instead of tinkering with your phone. Leave your gadgets at home or in your workstation when you don't need them. Turn off your phone when you're on a date and about to go to bed ? your messages will still be there when you wake up. Remember: you control your gadgets; don't let them control you.
Author Bio
Monique Jones is an Engineer who deals with telephone systems. Besides being an Engineer, she also works as a part time writer. She helps her colleagues and other people about their communication issues, giving effective solutions to address their needs.?
Source: http://www.e-junkie.info/2013/05/how-to-beat-your-technology-addiction.html
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.