i’m moving but i’m still blogging
There are a few things that I came away with after reading the article. The first one was that when I was growing up, in the evening, instead of facebook or text messaging my friends, I spent hours on the phone. Hours. Perhaps a different medium but it wasn't as if I was sitting at home by candlelight with no form of media to engage with and ability to connect with my friends. Although there may be some disdain from parents or teachers in regards to the text/instant communication it is just a different era.
The other thing that I zeroed in on was how often, during the school day, the kids texted their parents. One kid said at least 10 times during the day. When they got tests back, etc. I don't understand why the kids are not told to turn off their phones once they enter the school (particularly middle school where there is still teacher control) and not turn them back on until school is over. In our kids school when they are found doing something with their phone during the school hours, it is taken away until the end of the day.
Although I do applaud Riverdales efforts in showing kids that they can survive without texting and to make fun perhaps that they aren't addicted to it, I am not sure what the lesson is. At least it is lost on me. Is it the same concept as no TV week? Isn't it more to the point to engage the kids in conversation about transparency on the web, manners on text, putting their phones away in school or any meeting, or just talking about how we live in a world of instant communication.
Just my 2 cents but when every kids parents are using devices in their day to day life too, what's the point of going cold turkey when it is the way we live today. On vacation, perhaps but during the regular business hours – that includes school. The lesson to be taught is how to behave in the world we live today while still having integrity, manners and etiquette.
Comments (Archived):
Moving sucks!Great point, it’s not what we use, but how we use them and etiquette is at the heart of it all.
bingo!good luck w the move.
Thanks
Is it really an “addiction” as some people say? I’m by no means taking one side over the other, but think about it: 50 years ago watching TV was a terrible thing, now it’s common practice. Now that children have a constant connection to the internet it’s considered a bad thing as well. Is it bad or an addiction, or simply something that will be as commonplace as television in the next few years.As silly as it may sound, it may actually be preparing them for the near future, when the children of today will ALWAYS be connected to the internet in their adult lives.I 100% agree with you about the manners and etiquette though. It’s just downright rude to see someone texting or looking through their phone as you are trying to have a conversation with them.
I do not believe it is an addiction. I believe in when and where to connect. When my daughter goes out for dinner with friends, they make a decision if phones are in or out. Its about etiquette.
parenting, sure is a big job! The responsibilities are always expanding, technical etiquette is now added to the list. Just moved from PT to LDN, I’m a fan of the ‘cleaning’ a move encourages! smooth move energy to you,
must have missed it – didn’t you just move, whats up now
We did but were in a holding pattern for 3 years to the final destination which we are moving in to now
I was given my own phone number for my 16th birthday….and yes we talked and talked for hours….what I really believe is that the schools are very aware that we live in a world of “instant communication” but most of the kids cannot actually talk to each other …have a real meaningful or even mundane conversation….all of their communication is being done by texting , bbm’s or email…and they really are not comfortable “talking” to each other….when I am surrounded by my children and their friends …all of them are holding phones and texting frantically …no one is speaking to each other…I think the schools are just asking them to take a look and HOW they are communicating and trying to show them that there are several ways to communicate ..and learning how to use all of them is not a bad thing !!!
Good point. Really good point. I am not sure that just going cold turkeyfor 3 days is teaching kids at that age to think about what you arereferencing to. They could have spent 3 days discussing communication withothers in groups…to me, that would have made more sense and perhaps havehad a much bigger impact in the long run. Not texting for 3 days was moreof a game and a competition than a learning opportunity.
Breaks can be great for creativity.A communication vacation.It’s discipline for me to give myself the quiet space to do creative work.
Nothing feels better than a new place when the last box has been folded up and thrown out or recycled. Enjoy your new home.
For sure! Thanks Tracey.