Jan Kern

This past summer, as I waited for a flight, I saw a family sitting on the floor near the window. I guessed that the five children were easily under ten, some closer to age five or six (might have been friends or cousins). All, including the parents, were either on a cell phone or playing a video game. Yes, one of the younger ones was on a cell phone. No conversation with one another at all. I wondered if that was unusual or typical–for this family and families in general.

Since at that time Eyes Online, Eyes On Life was close to its release date, my thoughts turned to teens and young adults who have grown up with computers, video games, cell phones. Even if they don’t own the latest technology, they know how to use it. “Technology” is close to a first language for them, and that’s not going to change.

But I continue to have a nagging question (potentially a hot button issue for some): How can we use technology differently (and maybe less) so that we’re connecting more to life, more with those around us? And why does that matter?

I see the approaching holidays as an opportunity for individuals and families to reduce time with their technology at least 25% (hours will vary!) and get creative with spending time with friends and family, enjoying an old pastime, or learning something new (and non-technological).

Over the next couple weeks I will be posting and twittering on this topic, adding thoughts and ideas and sharing those that others come up with (while at the same time reducing my own technology time by at least 25%).

Join me?