For a while now my wife Joanna has been telling me that I’m on my phone too much and that it’s a bad influence on our kids. I’ve recently done some reflection and I think that Joanna might be right.
From the outset, I think most people would agree that advances in technologies like the internet, smart phones and social media have been a good thing. Being able to connect with distant friends and family on FaceTime or Facebook has been revolutionary, as has being able to access news from right across the world 24/7. It’s shaping the way more and more young people communicate too.
As your local Member of Parliament, I’ve had to maintain a focus on new tech and ways of staying connected, to let people know about things happening in our area. A smart phone is another tool I use to understand the issues that people want me to focus on, get the most up to date local and national news and to connect with constituents. But I wonder, when is it too much of a good thing?
I’ve been wondering how reducing the amount of time spent looking at my phone would impact my work and my ability to connect, if at all. So, I’m in the process of finding out.
In July I began a ‘tech detox’. I was using an old school flip-phone that can make and receive calls and text messages – but no emails, Facebook, WhatApps or endless scrolling news websites. I was still able to work on the computer but I stopped carrying my work around with me and I wasn’t jumping to respond each time my phone buzzed.
Despite bets to the contrary, I’m pleased to report that I survived the whole month! I was able to work, respond to emails, and focus on local issues. My staff kept me up to date with the world of social media. In my personal life, I discovered that I had more time to read books, and as a husband and father I feel a lot more present and engaged with the family when I’m at home.
If you can, I’d encourage you to give it a go. Even trying it for a week could make a big difference.
