No, I haven’t gone off my rocker or started handling snakes with my question about technology. I read recently that there are over three hundred and fifty verses in the Bible about “fear” and being not afraid. I’m not afraid of technology, but I do worry about who is in control — me or technology.
My daughters are very careful about usage of technology by their grandchildren. The internet has opened up the world to us all, but it is important to make the right choices concerns the worlds we travel.
Now I am not a luddite, I own an iPhone, work on a computer, and even have a Facebook page and know how to Tweet. But it takes an effort not to become addicted to my technology. Consider the fact that we need about twenty-five minutes to refocus after being interrupted, yet on average a cellphone pings or tweets you every eighteen minutes. No wonder car wrecks are on their way up, and people walk around with a cellphone in their hands bumping into people and light poles.
I have thought of some rules for myself that I need to consider:
1.On the sabbath turn off my cell phone and don’t read my emails. (This may be tougher than I think. I check ball scores using my phone, and try to reach out to my kids on the weekend.).
2. Never look at my phone when sitting with other people. (i shouldn’t have to write this rule down.)
3. Unsubscribe to every vendor that somehow gets access to my email address.
4. Reserve the hour before bed to reading a real book. (No screens including TV’s, computers, phones, or eReaders.).
5. When I come across something that offends me on Facebook or Twitter. I block the sender or put them on a thirty-day vacation.
Technology can be a great tool. It is my choice and my choice alone how to use it.
PS: If you have a good idea or rule of thumb about technology please send it our way by posting a comment. W.
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