Using
a computer to write about computers is like searching for Google on
Google! But whether we like it or not,
computers have invaded our work, homes, schools and life. When we are suddenly without them, we are
incapable of functioning and our stress levels are raised with the concern of
losing our lives! This I recently
witnessed when my daughter’s computer “acquired” an operating system error and
she thought she had lost her entire 1st and 2nd year University
Computer technology has become so much a part of our lives, that
we cannot imagine a life without it. Computers serve as efficient data storage
systems and excellent information processors. They can store, organize and
manage huge amounts of data. Moreover, they operate on incomparable speeds,
thus saving us time and effort. True, they are an integral part of our lives.
It is said that inventions change the way we live. Computer technology is a
classic example of this adage.
Computer technology has evolved in leaps and bounds from the original
Abacus to calculators, desktops, laptops, palmtops, PDA’s, iPads, iPhones, etc,
etc. They have become smaller and more portable as the years have past. How has this affected our lives? Well we can now remain connected to the world
at all times. Family and friends are
just a click away! Work is no more location-dependent! Now is this a good or bad thing?
I personally
believe technology is a double edged sword, on one side we have the convenience
of being able to have immediate access to information and greater contact with
people all over the world. On the other
edge of the sword, technology can become our masters, mobiles that keep us in
contact with the world almost non-stop, email that never stops, and so on.
Technology brings many good things to our lives, better health care, more convenience,
and sometimes an extra minute or two to do something else, but technology can also
cause more stress from being connected to work all the time, or when it breaks
down! We have to balance our reliance on technology with the other needs of
life.
Then there is the pressure on our children wanting the latest
technology available and the number of hours they spend indoors playing
computer games and missing out on the human interaction achieved by playing
sports, etc.
I read a recent article about UK children watching an average of
more than 4 ½ hours screen time a day (that is television and internet); 62% of
children between 5 and 16 have their own computer and 46% of those have
internet access in their own rooms. The survey also found that children
regularly use their mobile phones and games consoles to access the
internet. 70% of children between 5 and
16 have their own mobile phones and this rises to 97% from the age of 11. 36%
of 7 to 10 had Facebook accounts despite the age limit! The question I ask is, “how is this trend of
online interaction going to affect the social interaction of our children in
the future? Are we developing a world of
recluses?”
Yet another issue is the peer pressure put on our children to own
the latest mobile, computer on the market.
More than one million text messages are sent every day and many people
see them as one of the best ways of communicating. But what happens when a mobile phone becomes
more than just another piece of technology? Just a few years ago, we all seemed to manage pretty well
without a mobile phone. But now, every child, adult and pensioner seems to have
one attached to their ear – or are frantically tapping away writing texts.
There’s no doubt mobiles can give us the benefits of immediate communication –
it can help juggle family schedules and provide a great reassurance when, for
example, a child is late home. But what happens when mobile phones lose their
place as a thing of convenience, and become something that can even prompt
criminal activity among the children who rely on them so much?
A
recent article went on to explain that in extreme cases, some youngsters had
been known to steal money from their parents to “feed their habit”, while
others had become reclusive from their families and schoolwork had suffered. Children have become “dependent” on their
mobile phones (almost like a comfort blanket). Getting a phone call or text
message implies an importance. It boosts self-esteem and self-worth. This leads to huge peer pressure to have a
mobile phone with the latest technology and design. And the stress of wanting an equal flow of
contact can be soul-destroying if it doesn’t materialise.
Having
said this however, we shouldn’t forget that mobiles can be great for safety and
communication, but we shouldn’t lose parental discipline about using them.
This
is not only an issue at home but can also be a problem in the work place with
staff wanting the latest technology in the belief that it will make them work
better! Take the iPad for instance; is
it a useful business tool or just a nice to have? I believe in some instances it is a useful
business tool; expensive but definitely useful.
But there are many other things that can do the same job. Yes, it’s
convenient access to social media outlets, but can’t laptops and computers and
even Smartphone’s do the same thing. Maybe
someday in the future, when iPads are cheaper, this could be a possibility, but
for now, I think most companies will be waiting.
So
in the end it appears we cannot escape computers, but we can second guess
ourselves
when choosing to buy one, use one, or suggest the use of one. When you are
faced with the decision to add a new program to your home computer, or upgrade
to the latest “more improved” technological device - resist. Let computers
simply be one detail to your life that makes things just a little bit easier. But
remember: When your computer blows up, it shouldn't mean that your life has
blown up.
