One of our less favorable tasks this summer included going through the phone "upgrade" process. We are simple people and don't care for all the bells and whistles of technology particularly that which we don't think is necessary (data package, or camera on our phone for example). We use our cell phones to- what do you know!?!??- make phonecalls!
Consequently this severely limits the choices we have in selecting a phone- which we welcome. Unfortunately, the process also includes hours-yes I mean hours- of dealing with rude, inconsistent, uninformed customer service representatives. Before I go into a rant, I'm going to pose a few questions that welcome response or opinions.
-Could YOU survive-living a comfortable and fulfilling life without a cell phone, internet, or cable/television?
- Can you raise competent, well-educated children with little or no access to these "necessities"?
- Would upsetting these social "norms" or "going against the grain" lean more on the side of courage or cowardice? Ignorance or bliss?
- Do you think social communication skills are enhanced or diminished by the regular technology user habits of children? of adults?
Could YOU do it? No phone, internet or cable/television for an hour? a day? a week? a month?
No. I could not survive! When I was working full-time, I totally could have said good bye to TV and internet (except for work use). Never used much of either. Now that i am home, it's my escape when I am housebound with the kids! I wouldn't mind only having internet/tv work a few days a week instead of having access every day. As for a phone- no way. Need it. Mine only accepts texts and calls, so I dont use it much. But it's the only phone we have and that's a sense of security when husband is working long hours and we are by ourselves. I dont want a phone that does more tho. I don't like the idea of having to constantly "be connected". And I dont want that temptation!
ReplyDeleteKids don't need any of it to be well-educated. But they are nice tools. And again, TV provides me an escape when things are crazy! But they also have great imaginations and know how to entertain themselves. I think it's because we limit their TV to just a couple hours spread out in the span of the 12-14 they are awake each day. And computer is only used a few times a week for learning games. It's inevitable that they will be using computers at school, so I like them learning the basics of using a mouse, opening and closing windows, and reacting to the ABC/counting games.
More thoughts but have to run!
I could go without a cell phone and we do not have cable TV. Often I don't even realize my cell phone is dead. Our cell phone plan is limited to talking only.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I don't think we could live without the internet. Though we don't have cable we do subscribe to Netflix, which is via the internet and our home phone service is also via the internet. Banking, communicating with clients and the office, communicating with teachers, shopping, etc. is all done from the desk. I could go a weekend without any of the above, but by Monday it better be up and running.