Antisocial effects of Social Media
My wife went out with a friend last night. They grabbed a spot at the local Starbuck’s and just chatted for a couple of hours. I was glad that she had a chance to get away. Being a stay-at-home-mom is a 24/7 job. She had a great time, but then she mentioned that her friend made the evening a little less social. Throughout the evening, her friend was regularly using her iPhone.
Mobile devices are amazing things. They can help us stay connected like never before, and having access to YouTube, Wikipedia, and Google while out-and-about can be a blessing. However, if you are supposed to be talking with someone in person and you’re leaving that conversation to access Social Media, then you’ve just crossed the line and turned our Social Media Services into Antisocial Media Services.
The person standing right in front of you is more important than a phone call. We’re like Pavlov’s dogs when it comes to the ringing of a phone. Let it ring. That’s what voicemail is for.
Just because you can check on the web while talking to someone, doesn’t mean you should. My wife’s friend kept saying, "Oh, that’s interesting, let me look that up." That’s okay, how about giving that big old computer in your head some exercise?
And please, if you’re walking in the woods with your daughter, and you suddenly get an urge to post a short message, "I’m walking in the woods with my daughter," don’t! Enjoy the time with your family. Tell us about it later.
I’m getting ready to take my family for a walk. I know this sounds crazy, but I might not even take my cellphone.
Steve Woodruff said,
Wrote on April 13, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
Amen!!
Clif said,
Wrote on April 13, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Definitely, when talking to a real person, driving a car, having sex, listening to live music, playing with the kids, etc – it’s time to step away from the technology.
Great post.
Shannon Whitley said,
Wrote on April 13, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
Thanks, Steve.
Clif — “having sex” — Heh. That will hurt the old ego, if she’s checking her email at the same time.
Clif said,
Wrote on April 13, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
LOL, well, I was thinking about “answering” the phone during sex. Using the phone during sex would be bad. Unless she’s twittering about how great it is.
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