Gadget-Driven Generation
Technology has taken a big leap from what it used to be when we were kids. Smart phones, interactive TV, laptops, video games are commodities now.
Gone were the days when we used to wait for a week to watch an episode of our favorite serial. Now it is daily dose, two spoons after breakfast, two after lunch and two before dinner. And not just this, imagine even TVs are smart nowadays. One has a bouquet of options to choose from movies, games, quizzes, watch a new story/art-n-craft daily & what not…
It is funny, we used to say don’t worry I am just a call away. Now we say, just a tap away… Thanks to the smart phones. They are basically operating systems on wheels which can easily fit in our pockets.
But then it has brought the over ease of use for kids too. You need not even explain them on how to use it. They themselves find ways to play a game by endless tapping and sliding. They even call easily and without our knowledge too. My 3 year old as such cannot read the words. But he recognizes the pattern of letters for names of his grannies and dad and calls at his convenience. For other features of phone to use, icons are his friends. If he is stuck, then there is home sweet home… Yeah the new HOME, home button.
All these things come with a big dilemma for us poor souls. It is a definite help in learning and growing (and to engage and engross them in case we are busy elsewhere), but yet it is replacing the outdoor activities.
And at times, you wonder, if these things are turning into an addiction, whenever they meet a new phone (through a guest), they get so much lost into that and do not pay attention.
Out of our love and being tech-savvy, we install kid-oriented phonics or number games on our cell. Or show them their favorite poem on youtube on laptop/cell. And now they know the source of fun. And many times, in middle of some important work, they cling on us to open the laptop just to show (or rather just start) the poem (they can change it then, as you have to just click), or hand over our phone to them.
We as parents try our level best to focus more on outdoor games and evening outings. And mostly limit the TV/cell usage only when everything is taken care of – homework/rest/food/evening catch up with other kids. But then comes the weekend where they get liberty of use for their favorite TV show and papa’s phone.
Gadgets are bliss for mankind but is it limiting us to reach out to people in person? They have loads of information in single store but is it stopping us from seeking the information from other sources?
Cameras were meant to capture and treasure but is it getting more used for Facebook likes? We are more dependent on docs/calculator/memos than our memory.
These questions toggle-n-topple in my mind while I’m using my laptop (read Gadget) to post this.
In the end, it is all about balance. It always is.
Your thoughts? I’m all ears… 🙂
Swati Jain is a mother of a 3-year-old and an Oracle consultant (computer engineer) for 7.5 years. She is a blogger by interest, happy by choice, observant and curious by nature. She loves simplicity and truth. Follow her blog at: http://khushiniwas.blogspot.