Detoxing from Our Techno-diction
Distracted. This is the new normal.
Checking your phone is now a reflex, a default. But technology is not just a shiny new tool, it’s like a prescription drug that we’ve become addicted to.
Whether it’s an instance of boredom, an awkward break in the conversation, or just a need to get away for a second, we turn to our technology to fill the gap.
In the mean-time, quality time (alone with our own thoughts or with another human being) has become a lost art, a forgotten way of life.
The other day I went to the movie with my son. Before the movie starts, we talk about anything and everything. This is our quality time. And yet, as I looked around the movie theater, what did I see?
Several heads ducked over their phone, furiously texting away.
I Am Not a Techno-Hater
I love it (probably too much). But, I didn’t realize my own dependency until I went on a two-day retreat, where my phone coverage was spotty at best.
I was incredibly frustrated.
I tried every spot I could to get good reception. Why? I’m not sure. I guess I wanted to stay connected to what was going on. I wanted others to stay connected with me. I wanted to surf my feeds and check my email.
That’s when it finally hit home for me: I’m addicted to technology in ways that I don’t need to be. Of course, we justify our way of life—we call it ‘multi-tasking’.
But, technology also largely influences how we do life.
For example, instead of sitting through an awkward moment with a friend, we run to our phone. Instead of sitting in silence during any free moment, we turn to our phones. Rather than call a friend just to talk, we text them. Instead of reflecting on our day and listening to our thoughts, we troll Facebook newsfeeds.
There is nothing wrong with technology. Most of it is very helpful and entertaining when we are in control of it.
But that’s the key.
When Technology Hurts Us
Technology hurts us when it hurts our ability to form healthy relationships. Technology has a tendency of undermining our ability to maintain quality time or presence with other human beings.
And a life without presence is shallow and far from the abundant life that God meant us to live.
There are so many good things on earth that can hurt us if we overindulge: food, material goods, alcohol, sex and so on.
Technology is one of these things.
Moderation is Our Only hope
Practicing moderation is a self-discipline. And self-discipline can be developed just like a muscle through fasting and limiting our indulgence. We will likely need help and accountability from others, but it is possible to break our addiction to technology.
The first step in recovery is admitting that we are addicted to technology. Next, we turn to God and our friends. We must develop the discipline of moderation.
Techno fasts have to become a new and regular thing in our lives. We have to make and protect space in our lives where technology cannot invade. We have to learn to live with technology in healthy ways because technology is not going away.
Patrick has been on staff for fifteem great years at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). He currently serves as an Area Director for the Southern part of Illinois. He is married and has three great kids and another on the way! He graduated from Fuller seminary with an M.A. in Global Christian Leadership. His hobbies include fishing, writing, and thinking about fishing and writing. He blogs at: http://patricklangan.typepad.com/no-rights/
