TOODLES TECHNOLOGY by Grace Tran

Most people are glad that electronic devices are welcomed into the 21st century--iPhones, iPads, iPods, etc.  Like Andrew Brown, the British journalist, once said, “The Internet is so big, so powerful and pointless that for some people it is a complete substitute for life.” I agree, although technology was made to benefit the human race, now it’s only hurting us because people are relying on it too much.  Technology not only separates families and friends but also encourages the feeling of loneliness.  

After school, I drop my backpack on the floor, run into the living room, grab my computer, and check Facebook.  “Dinner!”  Mom shouts.  I dash to the kitchen and get my dinner, then dash back to check social media again.  One hour later… silence (dad, mom, and I are on our laptops).  Two hours later… silence (we’re still on our laptops).  Four hours later… the sound of running water (we’re brushing our teeth).  Five hours later… SLAM!!! (We hit the bed).  Dinnertime is supposed to be a gathering of family members to communicate with each other. Instead, we are isolated in our own worlds, entranced by our laptops.

The actress, Charlene deGuzman, starred in a short video that was recently posted on YouTube called, “I Forgot My Phone.”  Currently, the video has over 46 million views.  It’s about a woman who forgot to bring her phone throughout the day and gets left out of everything.  At a birthday party, she found herself surrounded by people recording everything on their phone’s. Later, everyone is texting each other during lunch; and when she went hiking, a man was talking on his phone the entire time.  This is a typical scene we see daily of how a person without a phone (technology) can be ignored by her friends with a phone. In this case, Ms. deGuzman’s character suffered outcast by all her friends.

Ninety-four year old Bertha Kronenberg lives in a retirement home and has felt loneliness upon her ever since.  However, Bertha skypes with her children and grandchildren, which makes them feel as if they’re in the room with her, she says.   Although Bertha also claims that she has made many friends online using technology, the more someone keeps in touch through technology, the less of that person they’ll see.  For example, if I called my grandma everyday, there’s really no reason to see her because I call her so much.  Technology is an illusion of togetherness and that can leave us feeling more alone than ever before. Furthermore, when I don’t visit her, I don’t taste her delicious cooking and I don’t get to embrace her. Grandmas should not be loved through technology; grandmas should be loved in person.

Some people may say technology gives certain teenagers the power of speech - the power to post anything on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.  One would have a better connection using their mouths than using their phones, laptops, computers, or any other electronic device.  And nature gave us the gift to sing with our voices, so why not use our mouths to communicate directly? By communicating in person instead of through technology, we will grow closer instead of drifting apart.

 All in all, technology should not appeal to people as something to decrease loneliness.  It doesn’t increase one’s confidence level either.  Family members should not constantly keep in touch using only technology as a tool to keep in touch.  Instead, they should visit each other and meet face to face.  Before watching the “I Forgot My Phone” video on YouTube, I never realized how the relationship with my family was quiet and isolated.  Now, I will encourage my parents to engage in more family conversations and use less technology.  It’s time to do things the old fashioned way.