Gitte Stald (2008) writes a very interesting article discussing multiple relationships or characteristics of youth in Denmark and their mobile phone devices. Specific topics addressed include physical availability, experience of presence, mobile phones to keep personal logs, and social norms related to phones. I found myself asking questions many questions while reading the sections about physical availability and experience of presence.
I understand that mobile phones are part of youth identity, and I do not necessarily think phones are a bad thing. I do, however, think at times youth attachment to phones might be somewhat out of hand. The fact that some teens state that they cannot ‘live’ without their phone or ‘can’t turn it off’ causes me to worry. As I read this, I kept thinking, “It is just a phone… only a phone.” Stald (2008) states that some youth feel if they turned their phone off they would either miss something important or not be available to friends who might need them. It sounds as if these youth are very insecure or codependent on their friends (and phone). It seems at times that these devices which were meant to make life easier and a person less tied-down, are actually causing stress and challenges. I personally do not think it is healthy for anyone to always ‘be on’; down time is important for ‘recharging’ and it appears that many youth, at least based on this article, are not getting that.
The Buddhist philosophy of mindfulness or being present also came to mind while I read this article. The idea behind mindfulness is that by quieting the mind, being present in all that is going on around you, you will become more aware. Awareness brings about an inner calm; something all of us can use from time to time. Stald (2008) describes the idea(s) of presence to include a physical presence and a presence through connection via phones. I was pleased when I read, “It is simply not possible to be equally present in two places at the same time” (Stahl, 2008, p. 154). I try to explain that to my college students all the time; if they are texting in class, which many of them (try to) do, they are not able to fully comprehend and be present in class at the same time.
While I think that mobile phones are ‘handy’ especially when I need my husband to stop off at the store for something I forgot, I worry that youth of today rely too heavily upon them. Stald (2008) mentioned that to some youth their phone is an extension of their body. I truly wonder if this is a positive healthy idea.
Below is a link to some current information and data about teens and texting which I found to be interesting.
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/under-aged-texting-usage-and-actual-cost/
Below is a link to some current information and data about teens and texting which I found to be interesting.
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/under-aged-texting-usage-and-actual-cost/
Stald, G. (2008). Mobile Identity: Youth, identity, and mobile communication media. In D.Buckingham (Ed.), Youth, Identity, and Digital Media. Cambridge, MA: MacArthur Foundation Series (pp. 143-164). Doi:10.1162/dmal.9780262524834.143
Jeannette,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your comments about the "attachment" youth seem to have with their phone. The stress of being "available" and "present" for friends 24/7 is rather disturbing because they are not available and present for others around them.
I just had a long conversation with my brother-in-law about this. He recently turned 21 and has lately decided that constant texting is perhaps not healthy. He was reminiscing about his late teens when he felt "as if someone had cut off my arm" (amazing how these sentiments echo) when asked to turn off his phone. He said it made him anxious to the point of an upset stomach to think about being out of touch for even a few hours. He started working for my husband this past summer (construction work) and the deal was that the phone had to be OFF during work. He said it was good for him to learn that discipline (just checking the phone at lunch) and that he needed the space from it. He is a very tech. savvy guy; Skypes with his girlfriend in Germany and keeps up with all of the newest tech. changes. He said that he felt that he needed to grow out of being glued to his phone. It was an interesting conversation.
ReplyDeleteTechnological maturity is a great thing but I just can't visualize my 16 year old achieving it. She would superglue her cell phone to her body if I tried to take it away from her for any length of time.
ReplyDeleteYou know where this is all leading to... pretty soon our children will start wearing computers and then they will have computer implants and the next thing you know we've become just like the borg on star trek. Don't laugh. Resistance is futile.
Ahh Kevin, always making me smile. But I think what Jesse and her nephew were getting at makes sense. Tech maturity; there is a time and place to be available, but when you are 16 or 21 or 42 it doesn't have to be 24/7. I like Melvina's summary - if you are available for everyone you aren't present available for those around you.
ReplyDeleteJeannette, Jesse, Melvina,
ReplyDeleteHere is something you might find interesting which I shared on Dennis' blog. I was thinking about how each of us has a different experience with cell phones in our lives. Then I got the crazy idea to ask a teenager about it. So I asked Jenica (my daughter) about cell phones this morning as I was driving her to school (captive audience). She said that she doesn't like to talk very much on hers - she would rather text because "Dad I just hate to waste so much money." She also said that her peers are now talking like their texting. She says "k" instead of "ok" and "I'm lol" when she thinks something is funny.
I told Jenica about a young man who couldn't use his cell phone because of his job as a construction worker. (see Jesse's post) I explained that the young man later learned discipline and broke his constant need to be "connected." She said that she doesn't like to answer her cell phone and that Blackberries and IPhones are what is hot right now anyway. She said the Blackberry allows you to do so many things like go to "Tumbler." "What is Tumbler?" "It's like facebook with blogging - not so many kids know what it is, that's why I like it." I asked her if she still uses facebook. She said, "No, I only have about 10 friends." "Why?" "It was taking up soooo much of my time and Dad, I am soooo busy with school. So now that I don't respond to my friends' texts and facebook - they shun me when they see in person."
Jenica also recognizes that she has ALOT more access to different technologies here in the affluent Qatari society than her friends back in the farming/univ town of Logan, Utah. "Dad, I really think I am more intelligent than they are. All they think about is boys ;) but its not because we have more money or better laptops... its because I follow people who are smart and say things that make me think."
I think we tend to not give kids enough credit for the decisions they make. We over-generalize that ALL kids just use technology for entertainment or socializing or someother nonproductive purpose. Some kids are finding that there are other benefits as well! The phases and maturing process would certainly make for interesting research.