Is modern technology really anti-social? Does it get in the way of real, old-fashioned conversation? What do you think and are your experiences.
Watch this postAre you becoming boring to other members of the household, with your attention given to your phone, tablet or other. Is technology controlling us like “the tail wagging the dog”? I have invested in an i-pad air, and my dear ol’ hubby says I’m using it too much…..especially when the footie is on; that’s for sure! Anyone suffering i-paditus?
Community Terms & Conditions
Content standards
These content standards apply to any and all material which you contribute to our site (contributions), and to any interactive services associated with it.
You must comply with the spirit of the following standards as well as the letter. The standards apply to each part of any contribution as well as to its whole.
Contributions must:
be accurate (where they state facts); be genuinely held (where they state opinions); and comply with applicable law in the UK and in any country from which they are posted.
Contributions must not:
contain any material which is defamatory of any person; or contain any material which is obscene, offensive, hateful or inflammatory; or promote sexually explicit material; or promote violence; promote discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; or infringe any copyright, database right or trade mark of any other person; or be likely to deceive any person; or be made in breach of any legal duty owed to a third party, such as a contractual duty or a duty of confidence; or promote any illegal activity; or be threatening, abuse or invade another’s privacy, or cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety; or be likely to harass, upset, embarrass, alarm or annoy any other person; or be used to impersonate any person, or to misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person; or give the impression that they emanate from us, if this is not the case; or advocate, promote or assist any unlawful act such as (by way of example only) copyright infringement or computer misuse.
Nurturing a safe environment
Our Silversurfers community is designed to foster friendships, based on trust, honesty, integrity and loyalty and is underpinned by these values.
We don't tolerate swearing, and reserve the right to remove any posts which we feel may offend others... let's keep it friendly!
Technology has been with us since the industrial revolution and has helped improve quality life compared to that of our parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Mobile phones have a role to play and should not be assumed to be abused by everyone. They can even help to save lives but should not rule someones life. Parents should practice and enforce good phone etiquette i.e. not used and banned from meal tables, switched off at specific times and not allowed in bedrooms.
As ever clarity and sense again.
Being a member of the older generation I feel many of us are stuck in the past in some respects.
Technology is progressing at a pace it's not a scary thing but takes time and a finances, so we cant escape remember when cash was not an option but the norm.
My children were taught computer skills in the 80's and 90's.
My grandchildren aged 12 and 4 ,times two
are currently developing their skills The young ones have used a tablet for the last year .The 12 year old has been able to help me ,my daughter lacks patience but uses a computer most days as an Admission Officer. Whereas an electric typewriter was a cause of excitement for me.
well that's telling me. Luckily I am not a 'sheep' and think for myself.
I see a place for technology in the work place. Analysing mass data ,sharing of scientific findings and modelling and all the wonderful 3D designing. Technology in medical situations clearly is of benefit to people. I even appreciate it gives opportunities for businesses to expand their advertising etc...... I have no problem with that.. Space travel would not be where it is without technology. It's work related.
I don't know if mobile phones 'save lives' you'd have to find some statistics to prove that. It's an assumption.
My concern is the effect on the younger generation. Terrorist-ISIS- were very good at using the internet for organising destruction. and grooming young people etc.... The negative side is enormous for young people. Young women are putting botox in their faces because they view themselves by how many 'likes' they get. It is damaging the self worth of young people .Pedophiles are getting access to young children. What more needs to be said. ?
Teenagers don't have a sense of community because they invest their time with virtual friends, who aren't really friends. I wonder how many rapes and assaults have happened due to the easy access to hard porn.
It is our duty to protect the younger generation as best we can.
The young need to be protected. They are the future.
I am not sure where the ‘sheep’ reference came from, I do not feel understanding and accepting the benefit of modern technology means you are not an independent thinker.
I agree with much of what you have said regarding the negative side of the internet, in particular social media, but that does not mean ignoring the positives. Much of the examples you have given were around before the internet, but I agree it has made certain things easier. Protecting children is important but parents have a great part to play and the benefits for children and teenagers from having controlled access to computers is evident by the range and diversity of knowledge they can acquire. The internet is just one medium that can have a negative effect on young people, so many older women have botox, plus advertising in magazines can influence young females and males, not all is the fault of the internet. Yes, bullying can occur via social media, as can belittling someone for the way they look, but that has been happening well before the internet and social media. Children can be cruel and will always find a way to hurt and humiliate others.
Mobile phones can save lives, two examples are the App called “What 3 words”, paramedics have certainly witnessed the benefit of this, and carrying your phone when out walking alone can help if something goes wrong, particularly when in the countryside. I have no idea if such statistic have been gathered, my observation is based on experience, never assumption.
I tend to look at things from all angles before making a decision on their use. Cars are known to be dangerous and certainly kill, we accept these negative because the positive outweigh them, as a result we let young people learn to drive even though we are aware of the dangers. Computers and the internet are the same, the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
I am not sure where the ‘sheep’ reference came from, I do not feel understanding and accepting the benefit of modern technology means you are not an independent thinker.
I agree with much of what you have said regarding the negative side of the internet, in particular social media, but that does not mean ignoring the positives. Much of the examples you have given were around before the internet, but I agree it has made certain things easier. Protecting children is important but parents have a great part to play and the benefits for children and teenagers from having controlled access to computers is evident by the range and diversity of knowledge they can acquire. The internet is just one medium that can have a negative effect on young people, so many older women have botox and advertising in magazines can influence young females and males, not all is the fault of the internet. Yes, bullying can occur via social media, as can belittling someone for the way they look, but that has been happening well before the internet and social media. Children can be cruel and will always find a way to hurt and humiliate others.
Mobile phones can save lives, two examples are the App called “What 3 words”, paramedics have certainly witnessed the benefit of this, and carrying your phone when out walking alone can help if something goes wrong, articulacy when in the countryside. I have no idea if statistics have been collected but my observations are based on experience.
I tend to look at things from all angles before making a decision on their use. Cars are known to be dangerous and certainly kill, we accept these negative because the positive outweigh them, as a result we let young people learn to drive even though we are aware of the dangers. Computers and the internet are the same, the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
I think I might be out of sync here. Anyway, what a beautiful written response to your last comment.
Unfortunately it is true we can not un-do what has happened that is why I describe the effect of IT, the internet and mobile phones as a wave that has over taken us. I should have used the word Tsunami. We've been swept away.
There's already been inquires into the working of the huge Internet Companies. Whistle blowers exposing their work ethics.
As I said I'm all for it in the work arena but it is time to put in more controls to protect people young and old. Push back the tsunami.
I think there is actual evidence that mobile phones kill. Legislation had to be put in place to prevent people from driving and using their mobile phones.
I taught for many years in what is nicely called 'difficult' schools you presume too much on the responsibility of parents. It's not there. The young people often know more than their parents. I have sat in waiting rooms and watched mum's on mobile phones ignoring their young children or they've given their child their own mobile to keep them quiet. That happens a lot these days mum's more interested in their mobile than interacting with their children. I see it all the time.
As I said to someone I grew up post war. There was a stronger sense of community and when we went out to meet others it was face to face. To me that is how it should be. That is what makes sense to me. My dog is nagging me for attention so I have to go.
You are not out of sync, my computer was playing up and posted my response twice, I apologise for that.
I think we actual agree, may be I should have said that parents should take responsibility but also many do and try to learn from their children to keep up, I do no include those parents who themselves have special learning needs.
There will always be those that do not do what is expected of them. I still see people who refuse to wear seat belts, drink and drive, and, as you note, using mobile phones. I’m not sure we should put a holt on progress to accommodate these. I am fortunate in knowing many young people who use modern technology responsibly.
I do agree on the community spirit we all grew up with appears to have been lost, I think it is a consequence of modern living. I’m not sure how that can be recovered with todays fast paced society wanting everything yesterday! They expect everything they want regardless of whether they have the ability to afford it. Which generation taught them this was an acceptable way to live, technology may have been advancing but didn’t teach this. I don’t think it is just large IT corporations that need to be explored more closely. We need to try and recover the concept that big isn’t necessarily better. I do not need a 72 inch TV screen on my wall. As I child I was happy to sit and watch the test card until a programme started in black and white on a 12 inch screen. Now I find computers and social media help in keeping touch wth family and friends who lives miles and continents apart and who I can not to see face to face regularly. My phone can be used in an emergency by a paramedic to check my medication and health history quickly.
When considering IT and social media, young people today do not appear to have any self regulation. We were taught this from a young age. I started as a cadet nurse 1 week after my 16 birthday, I soon learnt self discipline and not once was I treated as child, but as an adult that had to just get on with it and learn. The world was completely different when I finished 47 years later!
this has been the best conversation I've had on line and it appears that others have joined in. This is good for people to exchange opinions.
Chatting with my son I now see that the old type mobiles where it is just a phone does have a place with keeping people in touch and for access to emergency services. I have personally stayed away from learning about aps etc... can't tolerate talking to a machine. Many life times ago I started a degree course in Computer Studies at a time when computers filled a temperature control room and programs were put in using punched cards. Being a social animal it just completely bored me. Life directed me onto my true course after that year into teaching -maths.
Well it's been a pleasure exchanging opinions. In the end we have no power to bring about change so we bystanders watching life as it changes play out.
I will leave you with the results of a survey that was carried out a few years ago. When asked the majority of women said they would prefer to give up sex before they gave up their mobile phone.
My first reaction was - well that's a condemnation of the ability of British men.
my next was- these poor women, what they have missed out on. maybe the addiction of mobile phones numbs the senses.
Take care
Barbara
My nephew and family visited from.Chhelmsford.During Lockdown I made a family archive scrapbook,well this was a source of great interest and amusement.After all.the celebrations I have my daughter a Thank you card.She said it wasn't necessary as everything was recorded on people's phone.I suggested that in twenty years. She might. not have the event on her phone but that she could keep.the card forever.
So I've decided to ask.my elder granddaughter to help.me make a digitial.archive.I think this would be an excellent way for us techno dinasours to learn computer skills whilst our grandchildren would learn about their relatives past and present.
I haven't asked her yet I'll text her I'm.more likely to get a response she might even speak to me on the phone LOL
As to adult children leaving their parents 'lost' in a world dependant on technology, surely it is up to the parent to make a choice when given the information, not for children to force change upon them.
I was wondering if we would add to the posts,do we still think they are current what has changed particularly regarding technology.
I confess I know nothing about Artificial Intelligence
Yesterday I heard that young children are starting to lose the ability to read and write due to their reliance on the use of a tablet.
Scams are on the increase. The need for robust monitoring of the internet is urgent but I'm.happy to use technology to communicate.
also
Technology is brilliant, we keep moving forward
The trouble is us, we are resistant to change, its why so many are stuck in the past..
You only have to look at the news, the new generations offended by history and trying to cancel everything they disagree with..
We are more diverse now, hence why we have so many problems, no one can agree on anything
As a species we need contact and interaction, yet evrything today pushes us towards isolation..
Hope you overcome your i-paditus addiction
As a retired teacher the first rule is that no child under the age of 14yrs should be allowed to use computers unless there are parameters logged in to keep them safe. So looking up information for work is fine but I still recall the days when it was an encyclopiedia that provided the best information on topics and they still do.
There needs to be constant monitoring of material on the internet.
I have an active dislike for mobile phones. They create 'bad manners'.. I grew up without a mobile phone and I survived ! and so did everyone else.
Technology has hit the human race like a big wave and everyone has been swept along with it. No one stopped to think about how it would affect community life or how people relate to each other. We didn't stop and think we have a choice here, instead the young were swept along with the marketing of these items and the older generation went along with it. Hopefully in time the novelty will wear off and the world will not feel so crazy.
Silverbutterfly
You survived I survived but consider those that have survived because they were able to use their mobiles to.get help.
Rene personal account illustrates the benefit of brings,
Technology has made huge benefits in the science and medicine world.
Vaccines.medication skilled operations all need people and our technology to advance them
I.understand the negatives but again it's people that cause the problems technology is here to stay..
I am fortunate that I can hear and I have tried to learn sign language in the past but because I'm not using it I.cant remember much.
How much better this must be for you Rene.
Go karts use to be the thing we'd build. Out to find a set of pram wheels and planks of wood but the most important piece would be the steering bold! LOL!
we'd play 'ollies' (marbles) in the school yard on the grate. Steelies we'd call cheating! LOL!
I love technology; but it has it's place. not to 'replace' human conversation.
Quote: “ Technology will be the death of man”
He is usually right... but we fear for the younger generations future.
What goes around, comes around.... I do hope so.
I have nothing against evolution, but the World has gone Technology crazy & is creating a sterile environment.
Yesterday whilst at a supermarket checkout the checkout operator was communicating via some kind of intercom system whilst serving me and gave me no attention whatsoever accept to say cash or card. Surely staff should be encouraged to focus on the customer not be expected to multi task whilst operating the till. Grumpy old woman I may be but new technology does not need to take presidence over politeness.
As a nurse it was necessary to acquire the skill of reading body language particularly when working with 'challenging' patients. I have always found it a fascinating subject.
My step-granddaughter is special needs and has been taught a variation of Makaton to help with communication. Interestingly she now has an iPad with a special programme that allows her to communicate in an easier fashion.
I used to teach communication to student nurses, particularly the art of listening and was able to give some really good examples of when health care workers did not communicate their message adequately. Sadly, I continue to fail in reading my husbands body language when I'm talking!!
I don't know whether ipads/tablets were originally aimed at females, but my experience is that we take to them like ducks to water...we thought the laptop was great - but.... I know a lot of ladies of all ages that use one and carry them around with them.
All good - digital freedom - keep hold of it!
Ann
Perhaps though if the technology was available when most of us were young we probably have been the same.
Since acquiring my iPad very recently, and still learning the ropes , I find that I converse (albeit on screen) more with my children and grandchildren than I did previously - so to me it is a boon.
I don't like trying to talk to someone who takes a call in the middle of a face to face conversation and feel sorry for anyone dealing with the public in shops etc who is on the phone. It is the height of bad manners. What effort does it take to say 'I'm busy at the moment, i'll call you back.'
To have a phone switched on in the cinema or theatre is a definite no no. Really disgraceful manners to interrupt other people's enjoyment or an actors performance
I don't mind the use of mobiles in public (even though I sometimes reply when someone says "hello" from just a foot or so away) but I must say I don't like it when family start playing games on them when we are all in the sitting room! I suppose I feel isolated by it. They have plenty of time when I am not around (truly!) I do my contacts on my pc in my bedroom so I suppose my family are not dealing with a change in my behaviour as I am with theirs. I guess it is early days and we do not have a protocol for acceptable behaviour ingrained in us as yet. I think it probably needs to be more widely discussed. I like restaurants to be free of phone chatter (especially the loud type) but I don't mind a bit of quiet texting, particularly if people are alone. My most irritating encounter with mobile phone use was at my daughter's degree ceremony when the chap in the row in front of me was on his phone during the entire ceremony with the exception of when his son was actually on the dais! Despite, of course, very large signs telling you to switch off and me asking him too! I don't believe anyone is so important that they cant switch off for an hour or so! Rude and inconsiderate.
Young kids today only seen to play with computers they are good but other things are need it life, for the skills of life, it is also a sad fact that you can see kids standing next to each other not talking to each other but to someone on a phone by text they seem to ignore the people they are standing with for the one's that are not there but on there mobile, to me they are losing life time skills being interactive with each other.
Is it just an age thing women too were skilled in dress making and other jobs and it all seems to be la lost world now or is it me am I wrong, to me all young people should be apprenticed to some one who is working to teach them a trade