Unplugged

From My Perspective

By Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

I have been watching a phenomena over the last couple of years that has really started bothering me. That wonder involves our children and electronics.

Ok, before anyone stops reading this article before they really start, let me say this: I am not calling for a boycott of electronic devices, and condemning parents who allow their children the most up-to-date device. Remember, this is my perspective, and treat it as such. Besides, there might even be a little humor snuck in as well.

Ok, with that out of the way, I do feel the childhood electronic phenomena has gotten a little out of hand. I mean, does I child who can barely tie their shoelaces need the newest IPhone something or other or Samsung Galaxy s-whatever? I don’t think so. But again, that is just my perspective. As an observation, how many times is a child under the age of sixteen not with a parent, guardian, or at least some responsible adult? Not many.

The real reason for this phenomena, from my perspective, lies with us adults. Think seriously about this next question: If your phone was rendered inoperable and you had no way to replace it, how lost would you be? I believe that, if we are honest, many of us would be in a word of hurt without our phones. And I am talking to myself here, as well. We constantly have it on our hips, in our pockets, or to our ears. We have handsfree devices that allow us to talk to our phones and tell them what to do. Many times, our lives truly revolve around our phones, or some electronic devices. Children are imitators, they do what they see. And I am willing to admit that mine have probably seen me with my phone way too much. That is the only reason a 10, seven, and six year old would be asking for an IPhone.

Here is my solution for this worrisome development, or at least something that I am going to try and do. When you go out to eat, place phones face down on the table, or leave them put away. Your children will see that you are interested in their day and lives. Also, schedule an “unplugged” time, daily. Set aside thirty minutes to an hour, before the kids go to bed, where the phones are put away, and the family is together. How much life are we missing having our heads buried in the glow of our handheld screens? Use that unplugged time to play. Play games, wrestle, whatever your child might like. Some of my fondest memories of growing up was playing with my dad, before the hand held distractions came around.

So, like I said, I am not advocating taking all electronics away from children, but if we want children to use them properly and safely, we must demonstrate. And one of the best ways to show your child that you love them and care for them is to unplug from your device, and plug in to their lives.