RE: Broken eye contact and future depression
Great points made. I'm 25, and I'm terrified of what's in store for my generations children. Maybe awareness will increase but it could just plateau where it is now. A few years ago I was traveling and I saw a boy that couldn't have been older than 8 walking down the street, unaccompanied, with an iPad in his hands, just staring into it. And it wasn't a particularly good neighborhood, either. Just walking down the street. We pulled up and offered him a ride, knowing he'd probably refuse and that's that; but just to see if he needed help. He got pissed at us for making him lose his game.
I sincerely hope the kid didnt get robbed or worse later in that walk. It was a scary sight. At the same time, I see my neighbors(who I do like very much) entertaining their toddlers with iPhones and game consoles. Some of the game console games they play, when limited, I totally approve of. But handing an iPhone to a two year old to distract him when he's crying? I dunno.
But that's just how things are now. I see my older siblings, who have children, doing the same shit. As I said before, hopefully awareness will spread. So thank you for contributing to that awareness :) great article
I see this in a pretty heavy eye tbh. I think it is close to abuse. Easy for the parents though.
Me too. I am almost 40, used to game a lot and watch many shows/movies etc. Nothing except writing for about a year now. I have never been more creative in my life. I didn't get my first mobile til 16, the same year I got my first real computer. I can't imagine how hard it would have been if I was born with it all in my hands. I am old enough to remember what it is to play outside and get bored on summer holidays and end up getting into mischief. Kids are always entertained now, never bored, always fed.
I know what you mean. I still watch quite a lot of film, but I have a deeper appreciation for the art of it rather than just bland entertainment. I was a little shit of a kid; always questioning authority, always getting into mischief.. I didn't have a lot of time for all the electronics everyone else was exposed to. I guess there's another upside to being a broke little shithead :)
Thanks for your reply. I agree, I also see it as abuse; but the parents don't even realize what they're doing. I'm not making excuses for them whatsoever.. it's just hard to make people change.
That being said, electronics are going away in my home once I have kids. My computer will probably be in a safe under the bed or something haha :)