Are Smart Phones Making us Dumber?
Before the "Smart" Phone
A Tool or a Crutch?
I have a friend who is a police officer. The stories he can tell about stupid things drivers do and say almost make me afraid to use the public roads. Recently, he pulled over a young woman who was talking on one phone while texting on another phone while trying to drive! This non-rocket scientist is on the road while you and I are trying to get to work or get our kids home in one piece. Don't tell me how technology is making kids smarter.
While I know real estate professionals who use smart phones as tools, I also know many teens who use such devices as crutches. Why should they learn where things are located in the grocery store when mom is just a text message away? Why make their own decisions when they can instantly ask for opinions from a dozen of their equally-ignorant friends? Why learn which way is north when you can just blindly listen to a GPS app (which is not infallible, young person!)
I fear that the "smart" phone has prevented young people from learning valuable life skills such as: planning ahead (not minutes ahead, but days ahead,) remembering things, picking up nonverbal cues from face-to-face conversation, and paying attention to tasks such as driving.
Texting: Worse than Drinking!!!!!!
No, You are Not Really Able to Multitask
How Technology Changes Culture
The "smart" phone has also contributed to the following:
- flash mobs: sometimes harmless fun, sometimes gang fights
- cyber bullying: kids are no longer tied to the family computer
- sexting: no redeeming value to this at all
- and, of course, countless car wrecks and near misses.
What Do Medical Professionals Say?
- For The Children's Sake, Put Down That Smartphone : Shots - Health News : NPR
When adults are absorbed in their mobile devices, the consequences for children are not good. Research shows kids act out more if they are competing with a mobile device for their parent's attention.