When Social Gets Too Much
Hunky Dorey
You’re twenty eight years old, recently married, first child on the way, a successful community manager for a leading retailer, and part of your daily bread and butter is updating the feed on Facebook or Twitter. You’ll spend an hour a day looking through your well researched RSS feeds for one or two relevant articles to post, and perhaps another hour commenting on posts and enganging with your community. Your sorted, your cool, no worries there.
Not So Dorey or Hunky
What about if your thirteen years old and someone bought you a smart phone for Christmas that connects to your laptop, which happens to be next to your bed, alongside the TV and Xbox. What about if your unable to put the damn thing down, less turn it off. All your friends are using the internet and have social networking accounts, so why shouldn’t you? Anyway, it’s completely normal! Actually it’s the best way to keep in touch and to feel part of a bigger picture, isn’t it? My parents allow it so it must be Ok. My teachers are a little crabby, but aren’t most teachers trying to prevent me having fun with their huge rule book.
Where am I going with this?
Take a good look at the images below, click through and zoom in, read the text associated and then consider whether some people, some ‘young’ people may not have technology in the same grip others do; especially those who have not yet got life in grip. What are we doing to support this person, this group of people? Where can they go to get help, to feel relief that they are not the only one’s feeling this way?
Hold tight, it’s going to get bumpy
I can already hear the critics scraping their pitchforks across the cobbled path, their coming for me! And… It is my belief that there is a trend occuring that it is far more worrying than whether Facebook changes the order of our privacy or whether Google has signed up enough Gmail accounts, or whether Twitter is single best source of real time news. What is it that’s worrying me then?
Invisible Physical Effects
Apart from the side effects of electro-magnetic waves, which for the critics sake, don’t exist, but for the rest of humanity, do, and are a serious cause for concern when a young brain is still growing; apart from that is there really any evidence to support my concerns. Well, yes there is, and there will be more evidence as time goes by; I’m 100% sure of it. I’m not going to pull all the research studies into this post. I’m not going to cite every cognitive professor from here to Timbuktu, I’m not even going to ask you to agree, in-fact I’m almost done.
Digital Addiction Amongst Young People
Addiction is a serious social matter, that we know. Whether your tipple is gambling or drinking or drugs or… most addictions are simply hiding the pain of something hidden deep inside. I’m not a doctor or a psychologist, but I do recognise that unless their is a serious attempt to educate young people about the very real addictive tendencies that can occur subliminally, we are likely to see a sharp increase in those who are unable to control their actions when interacting online.
I’m already starting to consider how I can support my local community; what are you going to do to help yours? Would anyone be interested in contributing articles, opinions, research etc, to a group Amplog?
That’s me done for now, I’d be interested to hear your comments, experiences, even your criticisms’ on this topic. Surf safely, Paul.
Re: http://bit.ly/cQD44v A simple answer .. I turned off tweeting and internet on my 14 year old daughter's phone. I realize the irony or perhaps even seeming hypocrisy for a guy who spends so much time on blogging and social media, BUT it's for that very reason I fully understand it's dangers. I hear stories of her friends who are bombarded with perverted messages from boys and I want insulate her from that abuse. The bottom line for me is I see more disadvantages than the plus for social media on cell phones and none of my family use it .. except for at home where I can supervise. @simbeckhampson
Very very important post. I thank you Paul for starting the ball rolling. Some "parents". using the term rather loosely, do not supervise their children at all. Five years ago I lived next door to a family with two children .... nine and thirteen. Each child had their own computer in their respective bedrooms. Both children were on the computers far into the night with absolutely no input or guidance from either parent. Both children were fairing badly at school as they were too tired in the mornings and missed a lot of the school year.
The parents blamed the teachers
Re: Facebookosis, Twitteritis - http://bit.ly/cQD44v @JoHammonia @pinkpackrat @Eileenonline @bgallen @MrGhaz < Thanks for the thumbs up.
Paul, isn't a group amplog creating another facebook to become addicted to? If you do create such a possibility then I would like it to be secure please, and PRIVATE!! As for the comments on kids and their addiction, I, as a teacher, would say that technology is killing their creativity and imagination in many cases. They are too busy playing virtual stuff to interact with real life and even reading a book is not the same interaction as reading an online article or something on Facebook!! A VERY interesting post, thanks.
RT @simbeckhampson On My Soapbox: Facebookosis, Twitteritis? Oh, That's Funny! OR That's No Laughing Matter! http://bit.ly/cQD44v You've obviously hit a nerve here, Paul. This is about the most traction I've ever seen an amp get.
Re: Soapbox: Addiction... http://bit.ly/cQD44v @blogneta - Keyboard is burning somewhat ;-) Anyway, regarding bombarding, I agree the word is not accurate enough - what I mean is, advertising should be as eloquent for supporting concerns about over-use leading to possible addictions, as it is for supporting the further involvement kids have with technology. I would say that kids are bombarded with information about how cool tech is on a daily, if not hourly basis - so in counter, they should also receive information / counselling / education that helps them prepare for how that will affect them. It's not happening at the moment - and it's not on!! Interesting point about age 4, think your right on reflection... talking of reflection, time for a break... keyboard is squealing :-)
Sorry I did not come here sooner.. and thank you for reminding me of this very important post. Why is it important? Because like a few amps I have been reading, we are all growing more concerned with and for our children. On the amp I did about the New Addiction of Teenagers ( http://bit.ly/b4IrBS ) you made a very important point and that was " We should be on guard… we should be more than on guard, this information should be bombarding young people on a daily basis, via the same media channels that are encouraging them to spend too much time with technology.
I have to be honest and say that I don't think that bombarding them will work, but who knows! Another novel approach ( gasp) would be for all of us to show how we can live and turn the technology off once in a while.
lol...um I have been "watching" your messages come in by the way, I just cant seem to type as fast as you :-)
You are SO RIGHT our posts are basically the very same thing!
I would say the time to get through to kids maybe needs to start at an earlier age than 8...would say more like 4yrs as the kids pick up and are learning at an earlier time than before.
whew...i got it all out....
Re: "Just chill out and listen to Hunky Dory" http://bit.ly/cQD44v @MaxEngage Hi Bill, thanks for the tip, breathing deeply as I type ;-)
I'm pretty chilled, actually was pretty chilled before writing the article, during writing it and I'm still pretty chilled now. Perhaps a better word to describe how I'm feeling is 'disturbed'!
Seriously though Bill, your a man about town, someone who know's the Bobby Moore, been around the block an' all; Does this not worry you also? Have you not seen it in the eyes of young people? I have. They are often so engrossed by their telephones to the point of, well erm, addiction (imo)? And I see it more and more often... And the thing is, it's not really Hunky or worth of chillin... it's pretty frighening, addiction, that is, not that everyone is addicted, but you know where I'm going, eh.
You know, I think your very short comment 'Just chill out...' actually highlights the exact danger that causes me concern the most. Technology is so normal, so everywhere, that the critics (not saying that your are a critic) but onlookers, lets say, consider it on the edge of paranoia when someone should go deeper into it.
I would like to see conclusive stats, yr on yr, regular surveys, education & courses in schools and colleges, drop in centres, advertising coming from the Telecom's and so on... anything less than this is going to create a culture very different from that of which we would now expect.
More reflection, time to light the BBQ... ;-)
Re: http://bit.ly/cQD44v My response is if we parents obsess over rebellious teenagers then I suppose we should just throw in the towel now and let the kids parent themselves.
My other response to my child's (hypothetical) hypocrisy allegations would be I allow her to use social media under my supervision so that as a parent I can (hopefully) limit damage control and to teach her how to use it safely.
It is because of my years of experience (more than 20 years online) that I understand it's dangers and limitations thereof.
So if my "common sense" approach seems too harsh for some sensitive ears then I should also mention I reinforce it with copious amounts of love. That's what parents do, or at least this parent does. simbeckhampson
Respect :-)
All food for more thought... Good night - time for me to throw in the towel.
Re: http://bit.ly/cQD44v A simple answer .. I turned off tweeting and internet on my 14 year old daughter's phone. I realize the irony or perhaps even seeming hypocrisy for a guy who spends so much time on blogging and social media, BUT it's for that very reason I fully understand it's dangers. I hear stories of her friends who are bombarded with perverted messages from boys and I want insulate her from that abuse. The bottom line for me is I see more disadvantages than the plus for social media on cell phones and none of my family use it .. except for at home where I can supervise. simbeckhampson
Good to hear common sense parental control is alive and kicking. Question though... Do you think it may send peer interaction underground? Also what about if your daughter thinks you really are a hypocrite in 2 or 3 years time and uses phrases like "well, your one to talk"; Is there are fear that we could end up with a rebellion scenario?
Interesting to hear your take on mobile phone use, especially as it's considered the next biggest growth market in terms of communication (which means it's going to get marketed to the max). I guess I'm searching for the answers to these questions too - that's why my recent posts are focused on understanding cognitive behaviour, habit and addiction; future posts may look at peer pressure and group dynamics, which I think also play a major factor in education young people.
As parents we need to be more aware of how to manage, advise and support our children as they get prepared to leave the family nest. It's certainly a challenge, and that's putting it mildly.
Re: Facebookosis, Twitteritis - http://bit.ly/cQD44v @socratoad Thanks for your comment. It's people like you who inspire me beyond the call of nature, to think beyond what we're encourage to think and to act in a way that benefits society as a whole. You'll have noticed recently that I've been more active on this important issue and in all honesty I don't think I'll be calling it day any time soon. I'm of the opinion that this problem is just beginning to gain mainstream attention, and for that I'm thankful.
As someone who is probably considered 'geeky' it does seem a little odd that I should be hanging myself so far out of the window on this topic, but all I can say is that I care about (young) people, I care about how we as a human race are developing, and I care enough to publicly air my opinions in the hope that others become awakened to this every increasing problem.
Over the past weeks I've been researching cognitive relationships to increased media consumption and although the scientific research, in some areas, is still inconclusive there does seem to be a trend that shows the inability to concentrate on single subjects as a direct result of shallow thinking. As I'm not a qualified doctor it may seem a little arrogant to pushing this subject, but I don't really care, I'm passionate and literate enough to conduct my own research and to add my thoughts and opinions.
I'd welcome the opportunity to collaborate further with you on this topic and believe that there is much we could learn from each other, and thus share with a wider audience. Thanks again for the support.
Very very important post. I thank you Paul for starting the ball rolling. Some "parents". using the term rather loosely, do not supervise their children at all. Five years ago I lived next door to a family with two children .... nine and thirteen. Each child had their own computer in their respective bedrooms. Both children were on the computers far into the night with absolutely no input or guidance from either parent. Both children were fairing badly at school as they were too tired in the mornings and missed a lot of the school year.
The parents blamed the teachers
Re: Facebookosis, Twitteritis - http://bit.ly/cQD44v @JoHammonia @pinkpackrat @Eileenonline @bgallen @MrGhaz < Thanks for the thumbs up.
Paul, isn't a group amplog creating another facebook to become addicted to? If you do create such a possibility then I would like it to be secure please, and PRIVATE!! As for the comments on kids and their addiction, I, as a teacher, would say that technology is killing their creativity and imagination in many cases. They are too busy playing virtual stuff to interact with real life and even reading a book is not the same interaction as reading an online article or something on Facebook!! A VERY interesting post, thanks.
Thanks for the comment Eileen, and apologies for the late reply (I've just returned from holiday). I'm still not sure about the group Amplog either, but was thinking along the lines of private too... still keeping it in mind.
I hear what your saying about kids too... interesting notice about how you perceive the decline in imagination and creativity - thanks for sharing this.
RT simbeckhampson On My Soapbox: Facebookosis, Twitteritis? Oh, That's Funny! OR That's No Laughing Matter! http://bit.ly/cQD44v You've obviously hit a nerve here, Paul. This is about the most traction I've ever seen an amp get.
Thanks for the comment Eric. It does seem to have hit a nerve, your right - I think it's probably because we all have kids or are somehow involved with technology and education and the signs in daily life are becoming more 'in your face' - I'm sure this is not the end of my soapbox piece, in fact I think it's just the beginning.
Guilty as charged, and one of these days I'll stop blogging. But until the casket arrives ... being a pioneer in blogging this probably reaches a little more closely to home than I care to admit. @BLOGBlokeTips
Thanks for chipping in... & keep on rocking!
Hmmm...this is a very nice post Paul! I don't know how to be part of a group amplog without creating a new amplog here. Or may be I am just not interested enough to learn how to group-amplog.
Thanks for the compliment :-) Not sure about the Amplog myself... was just toying with the idea... we'll see.
Thanks for chipping in... & keep on rocking!
Hmmm...this is a very nice post Paul! I don't know how to be part of a group amplog without creating a new amplog here. Or may be I am just not interested enough to learn how to group-amplog.
Re: Soapbox: Addiction... http://bit.ly/cQD44v @blogneta - Keyboard is burning somewhat ;-) Anyway, regarding bombarding, I agree the word is not accurate enough - what I mean is, advertising should be as eloquent for supporting concerns about over-use leading to possible addictions, as it is for supporting the further involvement kids have with technology. I would say that kids are bombarded with information about how cool tech is on a daily, if not hourly basis - so in counter, they should also receive information / counselling / education that helps them prepare for how that will affect them. It's not happening at the moment - and it's not on!! Interesting point about age 4, think your right on reflection... talking of reflection, time for a break... keyboard is squealing :-)
grab a coffee... get outside and enjoy your day... lol
lol :-) It's night-time! But yes, I'm going to heed your advice and drink a nice green tea, listen to some relaxing music and chill (as Bill says) - catch up soon & thanks.
lol :-) It's night-time! But yes, I'm going to heed your advice and drink a nice green tea, listen to some relaxing music and chill (as Bill says) - catch up soon & thanks.
Sorry I did not come here sooner.. and thank you for reminding me of this very important post. Why is it important? Because like a few amps I have been reading, we are all growing more concerned with and for our children. On the amp I did about the New Addiction of Teenagers ( http://bit.ly/b4IrBS ) you made a very important point and that was " We should be on guardu00e2u0080u00a6 we should be more than on guard, this information should be bombarding young people on a daily basis, via the same media channels that are encouraging them to spend too much time with technology.
I have to be honest and say that I don't think that bombarding them will work, but who knows! Another novel approach ( gasp) would be for all of us to show how we can live and turn the technology off once in a while.
lol...um I have been "watching" your messages come in by the way, I just cant seem to type as fast as you :-)
You are SO RIGHT our posts are basically the very same thing!
I would say the time to get through to kids maybe needs to start at an earlier age than 8...would say more like 4yrs as the kids pick up and are learning at an earlier time than before.
whew...i got it all out....
Re: Soapbox: Addiction... http://bit.ly/cQD44v @MaxEngage - The commercial / enterprise / (adult) education sectors are something different, as far as I'm concerned. Finding ways to improve collaboration and efficiency using technology, by adults, is cool, great, saves time, money and the planet - I'm all for it; if there is an addiction problem with adults it is highly likely as a result of something other than technology, even if it's found it's way into technology as an outlet.
Re: Obesity. Kids on the other hand... it's difficult to get up and run about, climb trees, chase girls and score the winner in the 5 aside competiton AND keep in shape, when your glued to your seat in front of a computer, an Xbox or wandering around with a mobile in your hand, when really you should be out enjoying the fresh air with you mates, keeping fit and doing kids stuff - erm, that's just my opinion though.
Perhaps what I'm getting at here is - Are children before the age of "x" able to responsibly use this sophiscated technology without it being detrimental to their physical and mental health...and have parents been sold a wet herring regarding the security aspects of their children... ie. Johnny needs a phone to keep in touch with us? ooh, ouch - Big questions.
Ironic they describe the technology as "mobility" don't you think.
There you go! Nice lateral thinking - I suppose Wii Fit is doing it's best ;-)
Re: http://bit.ly/cQD44v @MaxEngage, An interesting point you make there "when I was youngster..." Q. Is technology creating a lazy society?
Very much so, convenience is the #1 buzzword for us and the commercial sector. How is this connected to obesity? :-0
Re: On My SoapBox... - http://bit.ly/cQD44v @PatGermelman @ddrrnt Thanks for the Amplify recommends :-)
Associate at
For business connections
Re: http://bit.ly/cQD44v My response is if we parents obsess over rebellious teenagers then I suppose we should just throw in the towel now and let the kids parent themselves.
My other response to my child's (hypothetical) hypocrisy allegations would be I allow her to use social media under my supervision so that as a parent I can (hopefully) limit damage control and to teach her how to use it safely.
It is because of my years of experience (more than 20 years online) that I understand it's dangers and limitations thereof.
So if my "common sense" approach seems too harsh for some sensitive ears then I should also mention I reinforce it with copious amounts of love. That's what parents do, or at least this parent does. @simbeckhampson
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