| Instant messaging, text messaging, email, blogs, | | | | - What did you do today? |
| vlogs, and podcasts. With technology moving | | | | - How is your family? |
| faster than a T1 connection, every day brings | | | | - How was school / work? |
| another way to keep in touch without actually | | | | - Ask general questions to get the conversation |
| having to show up in person. | | | | started and listen to what the other person has |
| What started as a fun pastime has turned into a | | | | to say. If you really listen, you will be able to pick |
| modern-day obsession unlike any other. It seems | | | | up additional questions you can ask along the way. |
| that the more connected we are, the more | | | | Parents, just say no. When did the word no |
| disconnected we become. Because of the | | | | become such an evil word? You are not abusing |
| obsession, people have become more overweight | | | | or depriving your child by using it. Disconnect the |
| and relationships of every kind have disintegrated | | | | computer and safeguard your children. If they |
| under the spell of computer games and chat | | | | need to research a paper for school, take them |
| rooms. | | | | down to the library or help them with their |
| In addition, people of all ages are developing at a | | | | research on the Internet. |
| staggering rate: | | | | You can then monitor what they view and do |
| - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | | | | online. When the work is done, disconnect and |
| - Computer Vision Syndrome | | | | remove the computer when you aren't around. |
| - Back problems | | | | Get your children involved in life so computers |
| - Financial problems | | | | don't become their life. |
| - Circulation problems | | | | Stop playing computer games and get back into |
| - And more | | | | some of the classic board games such as Life, |
| No longer are real communities connected. | | | | Monopoly, Yahtzee and other games. |
| Instead, people choose to connect to online | | | | Restless and bored? Go to a park and fly a kite. |
| communities and have virtual friends and romantic | | | | Head to the beach and take a picnic with you. |
| "relationships" instead of face-to-face contact. | | | | The point is to get outside and start moving. |
| People hide behind their "defenses" (computers, | | | | If you're addicted to chat rooms, why not start a |
| cell phones, etc.) making their own version of a | | | | face-to-face chat room in your own home. Set up |
| "real connection" with computer games that allow | | | | a theme night and invite family and friends over |
| users to build and have a "relationship" with their | | | | to partake in a real life chat room. No hardware, |
| idea of a perfect family or mate. Couples often | | | | software, cell phones or wireless connections |
| jump faster into bed with their laptop than they | | | | allowed. |
| do their partner.How can we change the world we | | | | If some of your guests become antsy about not |
| live in and start reconnecting with reality when we | | | | using their cell phones, remind them that you |
| are so disconnected? Like any other addiction, the | | | | have a landline they can use. |
| only way to conquer it is to take it one step at a | | | | If most of your relationships live on the Internet, |
| time, one day at a time. Here are a few helpful | | | | join a local social or sports club or become |
| suggestions to help you start on the path of | | | | involved in a local charity. Learning to socialize in |
| reconnection without technology: | | | | new ways can be fun. |
| - If you have family and friends that are far | | | | These are just a few steps to help you get back |
| away, why not send them a real letter? Stamps | | | | into the game of life and away from meaningless |
| are available at that place called the Post Office. | | | | connections. |
| - Have a conversation in the flesh with someone | | | | The Internet, computers, wireless connections, cell |
| that does not involve hardware or software as | | | | phones, iPod's, etc. are useful and can make life a |
| an intervening third party. Walk to a friend or | | | | lot easier and fun. |
| family member's home and have a dialogue | | | | Technology is not the enemy; it's the uncontrolled |
| without email or texting. If you find that your | | | | use of technology that's ruining our society and |
| verbal skills have become rusty, write a script of | | | | our relationships. |
| casual topics of discussion with questions like: | | | | |