I am, without a doubt, addicted to my iPhone. I'm addicted to the instant access to internet and texting throughout the day. I want that constant flow of information at my fingertips. As the speaker mentioned this morning, "It used to be that we got mail once a day. Now we get it every second of the day and night."
We took a moment to make two lists about our own personal consumption. One listed all the ways that technology enriches our lives and brings us happiness. And it's definitely a long list. But the other one listed all the ways that it can hurt us, mind, body and soul. It was a great way to sort out all the conflicting feelings I've been having about my time spent on my phone or computer. I definitely go back and forth between feeling in love with blogging and all forms of social media.... to feeling frustration, exhaustion and burnout at the inertia it throws me into.
What's ironic is that it really wasn't that long ago that access to the internet required a long, excruciating dial-up process that was less than dependable and only for those with giant cumbersome PC's and many many complicated wires. I didn't even have email until my freshman year of college. I didn't own a cell phone until I was 21. I look back now and realize that was a very good thing. I can't imagine navigating the temptations that cell phones and on-the-go internet access must be for teenagers these days.
I'm not sure what the right balance is for me right now. It's something I'm going to spend a lot of time thinking and praying about. But I do know that some healthy boundaries are a good thing. I made the decision recently not to use my computer on the weekends anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still check my iPhone! Let's face it, I'm not that disciplined quite yet. But it's been a really great boundary to know that my desk chair is off-limits on Saturdays and Sundays. That includes anything to do with Mod Memento as well. It's a break that I need for myself and my family.
I love technology and I'm drawn to all forms of it. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that. My goal is to reach a consistent balance (if that's even possible). Where I use it with reason, purpose, and intentionality. Where I'm careful about what I allow to enter my subconscious. Where I model for my children what a healthy amount of "screen time" really is. It's a sobering visual when I think about how much time I spend looking at my iPhone during the day. And how inconsistent that is with the rules I plan to put in place for my children someday when they're old enough to own one.
It's quite an interesting challenge, we as new mothers are facing in this generation. It's not one that our mothers had to worry about.
What are your thoughts on technology consumption?
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4 comments:
Ironic that you should post this...I've been pondering the same EXACT thing the past few days!!!!! Even some of your words are the exact words I've thought! Hmmmmm.....
There are days when I just have to walk away from the computer . . . one thing sucks me into another and the next thing you know I'm just floating in cyberspace with no tether. It's a great tool for connection and information and creating, but like anything we have to set limits for ourselves. I haven't become disciplined enough to set a schedule but I am mindful of the time I spend on it. That's a start...I guess.
Technology is a tricky thing for teenagers, because there is so much involved in homework these days and some schools are allowing, almost expecting some of it classes. Some schools are even contemplating getting rid of books and going to on-line, something I'm not so happy about because technology isn't something you can always count on like a book. Geez, they aren't even teaching cursive anymore - sigh!
I have no idea how some of you do it with little ones.
Great post Bri! I loved AL talk today too! I was thinking about this as I was getting stuff done around the house this afternoon. I think every generation of women struggles with the age old question of "am i spending enough quality time with my kids?". I think that is what a lot of what this comes down to. Speaking for myself, if I'm not checking email, doing something on my computer for work, reading some article, etc... I'm cleaning my kitchen, doing laundry, flipping through a magazine, working on some "project". So I guess I just feel like there is always something that pulls our affections away from God, our kids, our spouses. I guess what I'm thinking is it really technology that is the problem or is it me? The temptation to distract my heart away from the things that God wants for me and my family seem everywhere. I'm heading over to sit and read my bible for a few minutes now (I have a few minutes alone as my family is out at soccer (activities, that's a whole other topic ;).
I have been thinking about this so much lately. Constantly checking my phone for e mails/facebook/texts is something I'm so bad about. I've been debating taking my e mail off of my phone and only checking it twice a day, but it's so hard (even though I did without e mail on my phone up until about six months ago). Great post!
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