So I was hitting tennis balls with two eleven-year-olds on a public court when the car with four male teens drove up and parked beside us. I thought to myself, oh damn, these guys probably want us to get off the court to play serious tennis. Out they lumbered---big, hunky guys---and started toward us.
To my surprise, however, they strolled right by the court, each with their heads down, each holding a smartphone or some electronic device. One almost walked into a tree. The others just kept walking. Not talking. Just watching the screen down and in front of them.
It was a beautiful day. Clear sky, sunshine, a perfect temperature. Not sticky. Refreshing weather. They didn’t see the leaves rustling overhead. They didn’t see the cardinal perched high above. They didn’t see the old man walking his tired dog along the trail. They didn’t see the clumps of colourful cosmos waving in the summer breeze.
To my surprise, however, they strolled right by the court, each with their heads down, each holding a smartphone or some electronic device. One almost walked into a tree. The others just kept walking. Not talking. Just watching the screen down and in front of them.
It was a beautiful day. Clear sky, sunshine, a perfect temperature. Not sticky. Refreshing weather. They didn’t see the leaves rustling overhead. They didn’t see the cardinal perched high above. They didn’t see the old man walking his tired dog along the trail. They didn’t see the clumps of colourful cosmos waving in the summer breeze.
I remember my husband and I mentioning to our married sons at different times how difficult it must be to bring up children these days. We never had to compete with screens.
But this summer was an eye opener. This was the summer of e-devices with grandchildren. And it made no difference where we were. Screens, to the dismay of parents, are omnipresent: in restaurants, on the street, at home, in parks, even in movie theatres. There, movie goers are encouraged to use their smartphones and participate in on-screen games with other screen addicts before the main on-screen attraction.
And it’s not as if the parents don’t impose time---or content---restrictions. But have you ever tried to pry anyone away from his/her screen? Have you ever been in a restaurant, seen a table of four diners, each busy with a smart phone?
But this summer was an eye opener. This was the summer of e-devices with grandchildren. And it made no difference where we were. Screens, to the dismay of parents, are omnipresent: in restaurants, on the street, at home, in parks, even in movie theatres. There, movie goers are encouraged to use their smartphones and participate in on-screen games with other screen addicts before the main on-screen attraction.
And it’s not as if the parents don’t impose time---or content---restrictions. But have you ever tried to pry anyone away from his/her screen? Have you ever been in a restaurant, seen a table of four diners, each busy with a smart phone?
Without sounding like an ancient granny spouting outdated ideas, I do understand parental concerns---and their accompanying stress. CBC’s Marketplace, an investigative program, featured “why you’re addicted to your smartphone” and it’s well worth watching. It’s an eyeopener:
But wait! Here’s something new for parents to worry about besides everything else they worry about. Ever hear about the latest ‘research’ about linking the use of cells to bone spurs in the skull?
But wait! Here’s something new for parents to worry about besides everything else they worry about. Ever hear about the latest ‘research’ about linking the use of cells to bone spurs in the skull?
Excuse me, while you watch these I need to get back to my smartphone. It’s been pinging incessantly. I can hardly wait to see what’s waiting.
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