Information Technology has allowed modern day families to become more connected than ever before. We have become hi-tech households that carry smart phones everywhere we go. We use social networks to communicate and can instantly share our snap shots with one another. Technology has made communication faster, cheaper, readily available and has also increased the frequency in which it’s done.
Social networking has become very popular for most people with some becoming quite addicted to social media.
Advantages to Social Networking
There are many advantages to social networking. For instance, families & friends overseas can now interact instantly and frequently with one another. These families are now able to share photographs, videos and are able chat to each other in real time.
Skype has become popular where people can now make free phone calls to talk live with family and friends and see streaming live footage of each other with the ability to hold live family gatherings despite the distance between its members.
Not so long ago, communication was limited to telegrams, telephones, mail. These forms of communication were often costly, With the exception of the telephone, as they were much slower. Today with an internet connection there’s a plethora of free and paid software applications to keep people busily connected, entertained and amused as often as they like in their spare time.
Youth and Mobile Phones
We are currently witnessing the modern day phenomena of our youth whose generation socialises on smart phone technology, wouldn’t know life without one. Unlike all the generations before them who grew up playing outdoors with their siblings and friends or would to their friends on the landline after school.
Keeping an eye on ourselves
Monitoring our own behaviour on social media and on the amount of time we spend on communication technology outside of work and school hours can help us determine if we are too dependent on or addicted to technology. By being surrounded by so much of it daily, it wouldn’t be too difficult to develop an addiction that controls our lives if we allow it.
Taking time out from technology by leaving our mobile phones and devices at home to go for a walk can be really liberating.
Dr Caroline Leaf says, “Social media is a powerful and helpful communication tool, but it can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how it is used.”
If you find technology controlling your life there is help available. Search for a registered counsellor near you. www.theaca.net.au
24 Hour Emergency Counselling Services
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
Men’s Line Australia on 1300 789 978
Sources:
PERMISSION ATTAINED
Dr Caroline Leaf: http://drleaf.com/blog/are-you-a-social-media-enthusiast-or-addict/
Images courtesy of: www.freedigitalphotos.net /ambro
Skype: http://www.skype.com/en/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone
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