At the beginning of every year, I do a "get to know you" activity with all of the kids that I see in the public schools. Most of the kids grumble and complain a little about this seemingly meaningless task; but, generously comply with a little prompting. One of the questions on their worksheet reads, " what is your favorite after school activity?". To my surprise ( I don't know why this was a surprise, it just was), at least 75% of the kids mentioned using some form of media as their favorite activity ( Xbox, Wii, computer games, World of Warcraft...whatever that is, etc.). More boys than girls answered this way, even Kindergarten aged children.
Here's what I've noticed in my own life....I have an obscure view of the world through the lens of the media .I see these perfect and happy family bogs, our nation in chaos over an election, STUFF that I cannot afford, updates that are meaningless yet necessary to read, and so many daily emails that I browse through the ones that don't take brain power and forget to reply to the important individuals that I say I love. All of this input coming at the speed of light so frequently that it becomes a drug. Literally, an addiction. Media is a legal drug ...for all of us. All other drugs are off limits for children because they are drastically unhealthy and young individuals are not able to always make safe choices. If you knew that this media drug was altering the chemistry of your child's brain, would you allow it? If you knew it was hindering their ability to interact, in person with others, would you allow it?
Please note that I am neither condoning or condemning media use. Even now as I write this, my one-year-old is pining for my attention. I think there is a time and place for everything, even gaming (ask my husband). I simply think that it is a great idea for us to take a look at a few of these changes that have been taking place in our routines in the past 10-20 years. Then, take a look at other changes that have been taking place. Learning disabilities are on the rise, 1/6 children; ADHD on the rise, 1/12 children; obesity on the rise,1/3 children. Who's to say whether there are correlations to our recent shift in lifestyle or not.
I share Jen Hatmaker's thoughts, which she sums up passionately in her book Seven.
"I don't want my kids to be more comfortable interacting with a computer screen than a human being. It's easier to bypass relational snags with convenient distractions forfeiting the chance to improve problem solving and listening skills....we stay the course until we resolve an issue. This is harder and requires more time, but my kids will marry people and have bosses and children. Learning healthy relational skills in now or never."
Do the world a favor and let's put a limit on the whole media thing. Let's go outside and play again. Let's read a book, no not an e-book, a BOOK. Let's eat dinner together and have conversations. Let's get out the board games and fight over who won at scrabble. Let's talk, laugh, argue, listen, and understand each other better. Who's with me?!?
Let me know if you have any questions, I'm not going anywhere.
SarahV
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