How to navigate a changing technological driven world?

After watching The Social Dilemma I am even more concerned about the next generation of young people moving into their teen years or transitioning into the real world. What this year has shown us, nothing is certain and the issue of social media, technology and communication opens up many layers. Young people feel the desire to be connected and are constantly seeking ways to express themselves through these mediums. And adults are also feeling this dependance on their phones and being connected.

How do we create boundaries and be disciplined when it comes to a device which has been made to cause addiction?

So many people have recently been admitting to me about their phone addiction and I see it in myself so it deeply resonates. But when it comes down to it, I can see the benefits from having technology and therefore, we can not just throw it away. But there are limitations and restrictions we can put into place to ensure it doesn’t suck all our energy.

Another comment I have had is about the lack of reading people now do due to being constantly attached to a phone. This is something I have been working on as well. I ensure I have time at the end of the day where my phone is not next to me bed. I put it on charge outside of the room or away from me bed, and therefore I only have books at my disposal.

I also do not use my phone first thing in the morning to allow for time to set up my day and create a positive tone that aligned with my true being. Of course I’m not perfect and sometimes if I’m tired I will fall back into these routines or bad habits, but the most important thing is to get back into the rhythm of what feels good once you have had a break. Rest but don’t quit.

We will continue to find excuses for our behaviour, and then complain about it as our ego wants us to keep safe, small and controlled by fear. If we want to evolve and change and grow, then putting small action steps into place can be so super transformative.

When it comes to children or teenagers I feel really concerned that they do not have the emotional intelligence or maturity to create these controls or boundaries about their own social media practice or habits. Their brains are still forming and they are learning valuable skills as a foundation for their future living.

I’m concerned about how a generation who have only known this way of life, will end up moving into the real world. I’m concerned for my 4 year old son who will know, live and breathe this technologically driven world. I know mothers are worried. I know adults are worried. And what’s even more important is that teenagers and children are not aware of the possible negative effects as they don’t remember a time before technology.

That gives us the responsibility to assist the new generation to know and understand what the consequences could be with this addiction. We have a role to play to educate, inform and guide the younger generation.

What we can do is model this behaviour so that young people see the way.

The shift is occurring as we are starting to see what is in our power to assist with this ever changing dynamic.