Protecting Our Children
The Digital Revolution: Its Effect on Human Interaction in Your Family
Bu JoAnn Hamilton
October 31, 2007
A cartoon in a magazine that I subscribe to in order to keep up-to-date with today's teens has a picture of two men lounging on comfortable chairs. The one is obviously engrossed in the music on his I-pod. The other one comments, “I sometimes wonder if the digital revolution is robbing us all of simple human interaction.”
I observed two teens at a family function some time ago. As parents and grandparents interacted, both teens sat in the circle, one with earphones on and the other totally intent on the portable game he was playing. I am certain that both teens were glad when they left and both totally unaware of the relationships they could have begun, the information and understanding they could have gained and the time they had wasted.
It was interesting to read an article not long ago in a local newspaper about weight gain in children. It said that one-fourth of children are overweight. It attributed the problem to the fact that in some areas parents don't want their children out and about because of safety concerns. Another reason was the digital revolution that is taking place. With the Internet, video games, the television, the I-pod and cell phones, children can easily use up hours and hours of time while they munch on goodies and gain weight from this sedentary lifestyle. The time they use on these media-oriented items cannot be regained. They lose time in developing communication skills, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills and unknowingly don't even realize what they are missing.
And what is the digital revolution producing?
On the same page in the same magazine mentioned above, Judd Apatow, writer/director of the raunchy comedy, “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” explained the need for a “shock shot”: “It's so difficult to shock America these days.” And Actor Bruce Willis is quoted as saying, “They're not writing about guys my age much anymore, unless I do something naughty. They're writing about the kids. That's what drives pop culture now... . Anything goes, to the point where it's okay for young pop stars to show photos of their naked (private parts) in a magazine. If this is it, then it's over, man. It's the (expletive) fall of Rome.” And so often, with some youth, this kind of material is what they are spending their time on when they are immersed in digital play.
What is the answer for parents? Educating our children about what is happening and then establishing with the children time limits and boundaries. I want to hasten to say that there is also good that can happen as a result of digital play. Eye muscle problems can be helped, problem-solving in some areas can increase and information can be learned, but the dangers are also there.
The American Psychiatric Association is debating the issue of addiction to video games. The telltale signs are teens holing up in their rooms, ignoring friends, family and sometimes even food and a shower, while their grades plummet and belligerence soars. Notice the loss of human interaction.
Dr. John Harmer, of The Lighted Candle Society, said, “Two out of five teenagers in junior high school and high school are regularly accessing pornography on the Internet. And when I say regularly, I mean that they are not accidentally coming across it, they are intentionally seeking it out.”
Let us encourage our children to take time out from the digital revolution to interact with people in positive ways.
JoAnn Hibbert Hamilton's Archives
For information on how to protect your children see www.strengthenthefamily.net
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