How To Keep Technology From Ruling Your Life
Simple Steps Can Improve Quality Of Life
POSTED: 4:14 pm EST January 7,
2009
UPDATED: 5:46 pm EST January 7,
2009
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BOSTON -- In the name of efficiency and getting work done, Americans’ love affair with technology often seduces us at the expense of face-to-face, interpersonal communication.
How To Keep Technology From Ruling Your LifeAsk yourself: have you ever been in the midst of a cell phone conversation when you pick up your kids from school? Or do you check “just one more e-mail” instead of eating meals together as a family?MIT professor Sherry Turkle has spent years researching how we use technology. She said, “One person talked about their iPhone as like Times Square, all the things that I could do. ‘There's more life on your blackberry,’” another told her, ‘than you could possibly have in your real life.’”She said it’s not a question of ditching technology, but rather, putting it in its place. She feels strongly that it should not interfere with the time parents spend with children, which is often already limited by busy schedules.“If you had to start in one place,” Turkle said, “start with giving your child your full attention. I've heard enough from kids that it really bothers them.”Turkle said the connections people make online, on sites like Facebook and MySpace are often not the most meaningful.She suggests asking key questions before we log on or make a phone call, such as “Why am I doing this?” and “What am I missing out on?” Consider setting up family rules or parameters about Internet, phone, iPod and PDA use.And before you get too hard on yourself, consider this. Turkle admits she is guilty as charged when it comes to falling into the technology trap. Her 17-year-old daughter criticized her recently for checking e-mail first thing in the morning, when they should be having breakfast together.“She has called me on it, and I'm proud of her for calling me on it. She says, ‘You're internationally famous for telling people not to do this.’ Believe me, I’m more self-reflective now.”Turkle is the author of a trio of recent books on the topic of technology and society, “The Inner History of Devices,” “Falling for Science” and “Evocative Objects.”
How To Keep Technology From Ruling Your LifeAsk yourself: have you ever been in the midst of a cell phone conversation when you pick up your kids from school? Or do you check “just one more e-mail” instead of eating meals together as a family?MIT professor Sherry Turkle has spent years researching how we use technology. She said, “One person talked about their iPhone as like Times Square, all the things that I could do. ‘There's more life on your blackberry,’” another told her, ‘than you could possibly have in your real life.’”She said it’s not a question of ditching technology, but rather, putting it in its place. She feels strongly that it should not interfere with the time parents spend with children, which is often already limited by busy schedules.“If you had to start in one place,” Turkle said, “start with giving your child your full attention. I've heard enough from kids that it really bothers them.”Turkle said the connections people make online, on sites like Facebook and MySpace are often not the most meaningful.She suggests asking key questions before we log on or make a phone call, such as “Why am I doing this?” and “What am I missing out on?” Consider setting up family rules or parameters about Internet, phone, iPod and PDA use.And before you get too hard on yourself, consider this. Turkle admits she is guilty as charged when it comes to falling into the technology trap. Her 17-year-old daughter criticized her recently for checking e-mail first thing in the morning, when they should be having breakfast together.“She has called me on it, and I'm proud of her for calling me on it. She says, ‘You're internationally famous for telling people not to do this.’ Believe me, I’m more self-reflective now.”Turkle is the author of a trio of recent books on the topic of technology and society, “The Inner History of Devices,” “Falling for Science” and “Evocative Objects.” Copyright 2009 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
