Some women swear they NEVER leave the house without
make-up. Me? I belong to a different breed … I cannot
imagine leaving without my mobile!
Armed with this little device I feel ready for any challenge
my day can throw at me. My command centre consists of a phone to reach friends
and family, texting for the kids, a camera to capture those priceless moments,
a calendar to keep track of appointments, the ability to surf the net and
should there be a spare moment I have my favourite music and a game of mah-jong
to entertain me. It even reflects a bit
of my personality through a personalised ringtone and cover.
Is there anything this modern miracle can't do? As a matter of fact this little device is
missing a crucial application resulting in us losing our sanity! Mobile devices are increasingly changing our
behaviour. It starts during the teenage
years with Australian science (2011) reporting that the quality of sleep of
almost half of 16 year olds may be affected by texting. Mobile devices allow us to be switched on
24/7. We can go to work and stay in
touch … by default the opposite is also true.
The boundaries between work and home are so blurred that they are almost
non-existing.
Work from home pioneers like JC Gluesing (2009) points out
that flexibility is crucial to thrive in this new environment. She isn't only referring to be being flexible
with your time, but also with your identity.
We are used to leaving our “work personality” behind, but with
technology finding us even after hours, we have to learn new skills allowing us
to switch back into work mode instantly.
Even when physically in the company of other people, we find
ourselves checking email or taking phone calls.
Not only are mobile devices robbing us of quality time spent with other
people, but they are also eroding our self-confidence and reliance. Have you ever felt a little pang of anxiety
when you realise there is no coverage?
Sherry Turkle (2012) warns that our fascination with
technology is changing who we are. We
are starting to avoid face to face conversations as we classify them as messy;
there is no delete function. Humans are
exhibiting an ever increasing need to be in control, while at the same time
developing a fear of being alone. We are
no longer cherishing alone time to figure out who we are, how we feel or how to
relate. Where in the past man's identity was summed up in the wise words from French philosopher, Rene Descartes as I think,
therefore I am, Turkle (2012) now sums it up as I share, therefore I
am.
As with all things in life, the answer lies in balance. Technology is evolving rapidly, we need to
allow ourselves the luxury of slowing down to think about where we are
heading. You have to figure out what works
for you. Personally I am easily overwhelmed
by intense communication. My solution is
to put up boundaries.....I do not give out my mobile number easily and I do not
feel obligated to respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers. I am striving to make technology work for me,
for it to complement my lifestyle rather than becoming my life. How do you cope?
Australian Science 2011, The
influence of mobile phones on teenagers, November 15, viewed 26 November 2012,
<http://www.australianscience.com.au/technology/the-influence-of-mobile-phones-on-teenagers/>
Gluesing, JS 2009, ‘Identity in a virtual world: The coevolution of technology, work and
lifecycle’, in Mobile work, Mobile lives,
Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 70 – 102
Turkle, S 2102, Connected,
but alone?, February, online video, viewed 26 November 2012, < http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.html>
