TODAY, people have knowledge of technology, whether they have a phone, tablet or a laptop, or all three.
Those without these gadgets lag behind the rest in terms of knowing what’s happening in the world.
My grandmother, who isn’t familiar with technology, relies on traditional methods of receiving news, such as newspapers and word of mouth. My mother Skypes her every night.
During these calls, my grandmother would relate something she had read in the paper and my mother would say that it was out on social media and the Internet.
On Facebook, Twitter, or Google, we can search for news that interests us.
The information on the Internet is so vast that you can spend your life immersed in it.
Apps, whether entertaining or educational, keep people occupied.
But here lies the problem. We spend a lot of time immersed in technological devices.
I doubt that the goal of a technological device is to suck people out of this world and place them in a virtual one. Aren’t these technologies supposed to enrich people’s lives, not take over our lives?
I like to roam around looking for new things to explore.
I love window shopping, jogging in parks and trying out new restaurants.
For years, I have been doing what I love, but lately, it has been irritating to see many looking at their phones.
Where are the children who loved playing in parks?
It is worrying that kids who should be running around are now hogging the see-saw while playing with their phones.
Where are vibrant and noisy family dinners? My mother forbids my family from using phones during meals, for which I am thankful because I can bond with my family. The problem is that, most of the time, it is only my family’s voices that I hear.
There was a table with a family of four, the parents and their two small daughters. The parents were so engrossed in their phones they didn’t notice one of their daughters crying.
After a while , the mother took out another phone and placed it in front of the child.
Parents are supposed to care about their children, but the motherly role has been passed over to the phone.
“Hanging out with friends” means going out for movies, trying on clothes that we would never buy or even chatting over a meal.
Now, it is a common for friends to be together but using their phones and not talking.
Friends are supposed to sit together for a meal, but their eyes are glued to their phones. Where are the loud groups of friends that used to roam the malls?
While technology is a great invention that connects people around the world, we must keep in mind that the real connection is with the ones you love.
Let go of your electronic devices for a day and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
Get to know how your family’s day went and treasure each moment with them.
Don’t let technology take over your life.
Tan Jia Yi, Shah Alam, Selangor