Now that I have your attention…Sorry for the dramatic title but it actually isn’t that far from the truth.

Most of you, if not all of you, reading this have one of the following:

A. Unlimited Texting Plan
B. The highest Text Messaging Plan your provider offers
C. All Of the Above

Now look at your phone’s inbox and I guarantee that 1 of the last 5 things in your inbox is a text message.

Remember when you were growing up and the big fuss was over video gaming and television? I still remember hearing my mother tell me that spending too much time in front of the television would make my eyes square. Yes, for a time I did believe that to be true. But as time as progressed and technology advances it seems the concerns aren’t centered around video games and television as much. Now the focus is on cell phones and computers.

When I was growing up the internet was fairly new. Prodigy (ever hear of it) was the online fad. Google and Yahoo weren’t even thoughts at the time.

It seems everything has changed overnight. And fast.

A few years ago it became apparent that you could do anything on a computer. Shop, run a business, make friends and even start a relationship. The computer was a grand luxury that opened up a new world to everyone.

But did that open a pandora’s box?

Today, a cell phone is just as resourceful as a computer and can do just as much. But does this do us more harm than good?

Those over the age of 23 may remember when beepers were in style. I remember having one in middle school and I also recall the fuss the school made over having one in a classroom.

It seems to me that today a beeper would be a welcome change. Now teachers and school staff have to worry about cell phones. The battle is that much harder because parents at times demand their children have access to their cell phones in case of a family emergency. What ever happened to calling the school?

But what bothers me most about kids having a cell phone is how young the kids that own them are. I’ve seen 10 year olds with cell phones. Why?!?!?

How many friends with cell phones can a 10 year old have? How safe are cell phones? How much can you really police what a kid does on a cell phone?

I for one would never give my child a cell phone unless they had a permit to drive. If I want to keep a close tab on my child, here’s a frickin’ beeper.

What’s more concerning to me is some things I have picked up on in recent years. When I was growing up and even a few years into being a teenager I remember seeing kids outside all the time. Riding bikes, playing basketball, running around, etc.

I used to go to the school playground by my house and see the swingset full.

I don’t see that as much anymore. I don’t see kids outside doing the things I used to do as kid.

We used to have huge hide and go seek games around my neighborhood every evening in the summer. I also remember my friends and I organizing an annual basketball Summer League and keeping stats. We did it for close to 5 years. Some of my greatest memories in my life are from my summers in a neighborhood with my friends (some of which I still have today).

I remember riding bikes all day to and from friends houses. Pool hopping. Stuff like that.

I don’t know what happened.

Seems to me kids are too busy keeping up with the latest technology fad then enjoying childhood.

Another thing that has dramatically changed has been the way we make friends and start relationships.

It seems that social networking and texting has taken over for traditional ways of meeting people. Although I agree with this sentiment I have heard that it’s safer to meet someone online than at a bar. Can you honestly tell me that was the thought 5 years ago?!?

Truth is it may be safer. Certainly seems to be far more acceptable these days too. Less people are creeped out by it and the trend is certainly gaining popularity.

Nowadays, social networking is a must rather than a luxury. You need it to stay in contact with friends, expand your business, network and to keep up on news and media.

But how much is too much? And at what cost are we obtaining this “luxury”.

Our kids clearly loose out on pieces of their childhood. They also risk becoming socially inept.

Can people communicate without a cell phone or computer anymore? Are traditional ways of networking a thing of the past?

I always joke around that someday we will see two kids sitting across the table from one another with a cell phone in their hands…..texting one another. Because they don’t know how to communicate….how could they?

Until next post!