Technology

Technology is everywhere. There's at least one television in most homes across the United States, most people have a cell phone and many have a tablet or laptop to go with it. There are smart watches and Bluetooth headphones that hang off people's body. There is no escaping the grip that technology has on society. We are surrounded by this bubble, but should we be sheltered from it? Is it a parents job to limit how much technology their child consumes? The short answer is yes; the long answer depends on the technology. Limiting how much a child watches tv limits how much time they can spend on the couch as compared to going outside or reading a book. It gets a child away from mind numbing tv shows and into things they can interact with and grow with. On the other hand, limiting a child's time on their cell phone would be like limiting the amount of time someone can spend writing letters. More often than not, that person is speaking to or texting a friend. They may be talking about something important or just catching up with one another. Either way, they are using their phone to be a part of the lives of people around them. This shouldn't be limited the same way the television may be. The television should be limited to about one hour while a cell phone should be limited for about an hour. These are two vastly different devices and should be treated that way. Technology isn't always a bad thing, but it should be taken in moderation. The rules should not be so strict that technology is treated like something bad or toxic, but they should encourage children to want to do more. Rules should make children want to be better and act better. Keeping technology from them completely will leave them wanting as much as possible when they are left to make decisions for themselves. It is a parents job to teach their children this balance and make rules that are easy to follow, but also promote a healthy lifestyle. Technology is great, but only in moderation.