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Oct 20, 2014
Writing Feedback / Select a cultural phenomenon - do you see any danger in our society's dependence? [3]
Unintended Consequences of Technology
The influence of technology in family life today has both negative and positive effects. Today families are using more technology than in the nineties. The excessive use of technology and its dependence can be ultimately damaging. The detrimental effects are lack of family connections, lack of physical inactivity, and deteriorated patience.
According to researchers from the Boston Medical Center hand held devices affects parenting skills. Dr. Jenny S. Radesky observed 40 out of 50 parents in a restaurant preoccupied with their phones and one third used their phone throughout the entire meal. She states some children sat in silence and others were more active. The conclusion that was drawn from the study was that we do not need to put our devices away, but yet be more observant create boundaries of when and where it is appropriate to use your device. In a 2006 survey of 100,000 teens across 25 states, higher frequency of family dinners was associated with more positive values and a greater commitment to learning. Teens from homes having fewer family dinners were more likely to exhibit high risk behaviors and academic problems. Technology is not going to disappear, family communication will not diminish if it is monitored and controlled. Yet According to a recent poll by Pew Internet and American Life Project states that Americans are as tightknit than last generation due to evolving technology. In the poll 60 percent stated that technology did not affect their relationships, while 25 percent stated that technology has made their relationships stronger and 11 percent said technology had a negative affect and 4 percent did not know. A father of three states " that it is useful in business but is not convinced of the benefits at home which replaces face to face communication and drifts families apart".
As reported by the YMCA a survey was conducted on parents of children ranging in ages of 5 to 10, 42 percent of parents said that TV, videos games and cell phones were to blame for lack of exercise. Although technology was to blame 74 percent opt to spend family time watching TV and 53 percent spend time playing video games with them.
Unintended Consequences of Technology
The influence of technology in family life today has both negative and positive effects. Today families are using more technology than in the nineties. The excessive use of technology and its dependence can be ultimately damaging. The detrimental effects are lack of family connections, lack of physical inactivity, and deteriorated patience.
According to researchers from the Boston Medical Center hand held devices affects parenting skills. Dr. Jenny S. Radesky observed 40 out of 50 parents in a restaurant preoccupied with their phones and one third used their phone throughout the entire meal. She states some children sat in silence and others were more active. The conclusion that was drawn from the study was that we do not need to put our devices away, but yet be more observant create boundaries of when and where it is appropriate to use your device. In a 2006 survey of 100,000 teens across 25 states, higher frequency of family dinners was associated with more positive values and a greater commitment to learning. Teens from homes having fewer family dinners were more likely to exhibit high risk behaviors and academic problems. Technology is not going to disappear, family communication will not diminish if it is monitored and controlled. Yet According to a recent poll by Pew Internet and American Life Project states that Americans are as tightknit than last generation due to evolving technology. In the poll 60 percent stated that technology did not affect their relationships, while 25 percent stated that technology has made their relationships stronger and 11 percent said technology had a negative affect and 4 percent did not know. A father of three states " that it is useful in business but is not convinced of the benefits at home which replaces face to face communication and drifts families apart".
As reported by the YMCA a survey was conducted on parents of children ranging in ages of 5 to 10, 42 percent of parents said that TV, videos games and cell phones were to blame for lack of exercise. Although technology was to blame 74 percent opt to spend family time watching TV and 53 percent spend time playing video games with them.
