By: Maryam Hedayat
Source: MuslimVillage
As soon as we open our eyes in the morning, the first thing almost all of us do is to check our cell phones. At times, even before remembering God we stare at the mobile, whether there is a call, an email, or a message.
Cell phones lie at the center of our activity in daily life with applications such as reminders, to-do’s, contacts, and emails.
These electronic gadgets have already left a huge impact on our lifestyle; people of all ages use different types of gadgets. It is now practically impossible to imagine life without these items.
In fact, almost all our activities are controlled by gadgets and gizmos. No one can deny the fact that gadgets have not only simplified our lives but also made them more comfortable and luxurious. But on the contrary man’s dependence on them has increased so much that we just cannot do without them at all.
In an age when Internet devices are always on, meeting face-to-face is becoming increasingly rare as people prefer to meet screen-to-screen.
Almost all our interactions – and attending emotions such as, greeting each other, asking about the wellbeing of family and friends, expressing love and so on – are controlled by these innovative devices.
Perhaps the mechanical love and affection appears to be more trouble free and easier for some people.
While the use of electronic gadgets has its own advantage, persistent use of high-tech gadgetry can lead to a number of mental and physical health problems for the young and the old alike.
The slavery can be seen in many ways like the day begins with the alarm of clock, instead of the first rays of sun or call of a cock. Now while sitting with the family or friends or while traveling in a train or bus, people can be seen chatting on cell phones instead of talking to the persons sitting beside them.
If they are not talking on the phones, they can be seen pressing the buttons of cell phones for gaming, SMS, or songs, etc. If a man needs any information regarding something, he would trust machine more than the human.
The excessive use of gadgets is not only killing our social, personal and creative skills but also leaving negative impacts on our health and emotions which seem to be only attached with our favorite gadgets and electronics.
Perhaps, the globe has never been more interconnected yet, this interconnection, though wonderful, has never come without cost.
We may feel we are connecting effectively with others through the latest technologies, but too much electronic-relating ironically creates a sense of social isolation.
Particularly our new generation is right to be called a ‘multimedia generation’ as they are all crazy for one gadget or the other, and some keep more than one. This addiction of gadgets is deeply affecting the social and personal skills of our kids.
According to a British survey, children from 9 to 12 of age love electronic gadget and they are addicted to it. They may spend 7 to 10 hours of the day with their gadget no matter it is TV, computer, mobile, video game, multimedia device and any other technology toys.
In fact, children who spend long hours staring on screens usually complain less concentration on studies and miss out their essential sleep. It makes them peevish, grumpy, and aggressive and they do not take notice of anything going on around them until they finish.
In addition the epidemic of people using their mobile phones while driving is becoming an increasing danger on the road. This creates more of a hazard on the highway than drunk and distracted driving.
According to the National Safety Council, 1.4 million accidents occur every year due to people using their cell phones while driving. The WHO concludes that drivers who talk on their cell phones are four times more likely to get in an accident.
Signs of possible psychological addiction to computer or video game use among youths can include worsening school grades; choosing the computer or video games over family, friends or social activities; or restlessness and irritability when not playing a video game or on the computer.
All this has also resulted in increased irritation, tensions, worries and anger apart from a person being physically lethargic and emotionally dead. The net effect of all these things, plus the pressure of immediate responses to everything, can become stressful.
According to the father of modern Physics Albert Einstein:
“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity”.
Well, Einstein’s remarks were made with the dark shadow of nuclear weapons in mind, but the same holds true.
Thus we can say that our dependence on modern gadgets has made us complete slaves to machines and that we have lost our spirit. Now we have no more control over our gadgets instead we are controlled by them.
Consequently, human nature is now short-sighted in human values and aspects. Thus ‘slavery’ has made us pleasure-seeking aliens who care only for our comforts. We no longer have the capacity to hard work or bear pains or suffer inconveniences.
Although the positive aspects of the modern techs are quite obvious, but the need of the hour is to make gadgets conform to our will instead of our being regulated all the while by their magical influence at the cost of our balanced living and social association.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of MuslimVillage.com.