Where is the technology free zone

Technological enhancements have changed the way we communicate within society.  The accessibility of media technologies are the cornerstone of an information society, which exists at the expense of interpersonal communication or competence (Lăzăroiu, 2010).  As technology continues to dominate our lives, there is evidence that in-person social interactions are declining.  

Last night I went out to dinner with a group of friends, we are all mothers that were excited to catch up over dinner.  At one point I looked around and every person was on their mobile device perusing their social feeds.  Comically, one of them pointed to a ted talk that said that when you use choose to use your mobile in front of others you are basically telling them that they mean nothing to you.

“The growing technical sophistication of the means of mass communication is evidence of choices that pit the advancement of mass communication against the decline of social interaction” (Lăzăroiu, 2010). Technologies create distractions and when we become so enamored with what is happening online, we are alienating ourselves from the real world and face-to-face communications. The video below shows funny examples of antisocial smartphone users:

I work with many younger employees that rely so heavily on technology and email that it is crippling their ability to form working relationships. One gentlemen that works with me relies so greatly on email to solicit information out of colleagues that he is no longer confident enough to talk with people head-on.  He fears the interaction and the possibility of not being able to answer questions on the fly.  Lickerman expressed that “people are often fear face-to-face confrontation, and easily turn to technology to hide behind” (2010).   In effect, technology shields us from unwanted responses, and we don’t feel the impact as much via digital.

Technology is also creating obsessives behaviors in society.  A survey initiated by Facebook revealed the first thing 80% of us do in the as soon as we wake up in the morning is check our phones, and the average user then goes on to check their device 110 times a day (Chonchui, 2014).  Technology is important to society and to keep us connected, but we need to make sure we still foster our interpersonal skills.  As I say at the dinner table each night, this is a technology free zone master the art of conversation.

References

Chonchui, N. (2014, May). Always Turned On: The negative impact technology has on relationships. Retrieved from Irish Examiner: http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/relationships/always-turned-on-the-negative-impact-technology-has-on-relationships-267185.html

Lăzăroiu, G. (2010). Conceptualizing the changing dynamics of mediated communication and the flow of mass-mediated realites. Geopolitics, History, and International Relations, 176-184.

Lickerman, A. (2010, June). The Effect of Technology on Relationships. Retrieved from Psychology Today: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201006/the-effect-technology-relationships