Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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There is more and more evidence coming out in one book and one article after another, that not only are most of us addicts to our smart phones, but they are very damaging to us. Surveys are showing that they are reducing our concentration and of course we know they are deliberately designed, in most cases, to keep us addicted to them – not just the phones, but in particular the apps. Social media is beginning to destroy a lot of the fabric of our society, people don’t talk to each other as much as they used to spending their entire time staring at their phones and most people are very edgy if they have not looked at their phone for the last 5 minutes.
The worst part is we will come up with any reason as to why we are not addicts and we actually need our phones for something or other while scrolling through Facebook, Instagram and quickly check one last time, for messages, on WhatsApp. (Worse some people set these apps to notify them all day of any small thing or message or post). It is a growing problem and I plan to write about it on my blog more in the future and a lot of people are turning their own children into addicts. It is so much easier of course to keep their children quiet by simply handing them an iPad or some or other device to get a little bit of quiet time at home, but we are slowly but surely destroying ourselves and our children by getting them hooked on these devices and apps. I remember reading an interview recently with Bill Gates’ family saying that one of their biggest mistakes was only allowing their children to go on social media at 16 – they think they should have only allowed it at a much older age. I have written before about how Steve Jobs, who designed all of these wonderful products at Apple, refused to have them in his own house because he knew exactly how bad, for kids, what they were designing was!
If iPhones or social media were not good enough for the children of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, who after all designed half these things and make their money out of selling them, why should it be good enough for your children?
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 21-Jan-19
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Comments
Ashleigh said:
on Monday 18-Feb-19 03:22 PM
I know as a parent to teenagers that the worst thing I could have done as a parent is allow my children these devices. Unfortunately I cannot take back what they have already been given and you need to be careful nowadays with the kids and how you approach them on certain things. Children are not the same anymore and do not have the same ethics / mannerism we had when we were kids. Social Media is more negative then any good. I for one will be soon deleting my facebook account once I have taken all the photo's I do have off the account.
Prishani said:
on Wednesday 06-Feb-19 02:09 PM
I think that the use of technology at a young age can only be harmful to a child's development, I mean so many adults can't control the need to be on their phone or computer or Ipad at all times, how we can as adults expose them to these sort of devices... I think the key here is moderation and ultimately adult supervision!
brumilde said:
on Tuesday 05-Feb-19 02:49 PM
I saw a video about the same topic, and the professor made the same point. we forget that it is easier to give a kid a tablet or tv, instead of colouring or doing family activities together
Sinead said:
on Tuesday 05-Feb-19 12:33 PM
I have done away with Social Media. It really is just a waste of time and all things negative - in my opinion.
In all honesty, I must agree 100% There is nothing worse than seeing a 4 year old watching videos on YouTube or playing games on an iPad. I know there are some educational videos out there, but having eye sight problems later is not worth it at all.
It's the same as giving them Coca-Cola. That's a "No" from me.
Cornelie said:
on Tuesday 05-Feb-19 12:26 PM
Any sort of smart phone is not good for our children. Children need to play outside so many years still to catch up on.
Tersia said:
on Tuesday 05-Feb-19 07:53 AM
I have said that I will not allow my children to have cellphones at a young age and let them play on my phone, but I think a lot of people also feel sorry for their children. You as a parent can make that decision but not all parents are and then this friend has this phone and that friend has that and now your child is out of the loop and will probably get bullied for that. It's a cruel world out there and these days you have to keep up or your out.
I also don't like children to be on phones at a young age, I think it makes them rude as well and they see to many things that aren't appropriate for them.
Shristi said:
on Sunday 03-Feb-19 04:41 PM
I am one of those people that are against children having cellphones. I believe that parents who gives their kids phones and access to social media at a young age are hindering their intellectual growth and social skills. Kids should be playing outside with their friends, enjoy family time and not just be stuck on their phones and on social media
Tamaryn said:
on Friday 01-Feb-19 02:05 PM
I'm very anti excess notifications and unwanted communications and telephone calls. I go to extreme lengths to block any unsolicited communications or notifications and am very skeptical of downloading just any app. My phone is mostly on silent and the way I see it is that my phone is there should I need it- I am not at its beckon call every time it rings or beeps. It does surprise me that so many children are handed ipads and phones at such young ages, and I can't help but feel sorry for them ultimately.
Nikita said:
on Wednesday 30-Jan-19 04:35 PM
I think that children should not be allowed to play with cellphones at all. I watch my friends with babies and all the babies cry for is their mother or father's phones. Children should be playing outside and enjoying their innocence whilst they can.
candice said:
on Friday 25-Jan-19 04:24 PM
I Think social media consumes most of our time and you are very right people don't talk to each other as much as we used to do before we had all these apps on our phones. As for our kids you see more and more of them falling into the same habit. Children should be playing outside or doing some sort of Hobby not on the phone. And parents these days think its much easier for them not to have to deal with them so they give them phones to keep them busy
Melissa said:
on Friday 25-Jan-19 01:30 PM
Cell phones are really addictive and is very distracting, especially when you are trying to work or have a conversation with someone. You are so used to checking your phone as soon as you receive a notification. I believe that cell phones have brought so much sadness into people's lives.
Lucretia said:
on Friday 25-Jan-19 08:31 AM
I am eternally grateful that my daughter, whilst growing up, was not addicted to cell phones. She grew up climbing trees, riding her bicycle and playing on our family farm in East London. Even though there were cell phones around, she preferred the outdoors and i encouraged every minute of it. We have very many happy memories of playing board games and socialising together as a family. Would not change that for the world.....
Natasha said:
on Friday 25-Jan-19 08:27 AM
It is scary how addictive a cellphone can get. I remember when i was still in school.My dad took our phones away during the week as my brother almost failed Gr 12. It became so bad that if we go to the shops he doesnt even look up once and he doesnt speak a word to us.Now a days its so hectic when you get home and sit in front of the tv you dont even watch tv you busy on your phone the whole time.
Helen said:
on Friday 25-Jan-19 08:16 AM
This is very good article to read and make notes of it. We are all guilty and we all using our devices on the daily basis forgetting how to socialize with each other face to face!
Thabitha said:
on Thursday 24-Jan-19 10:06 AM
What is surprising is when people are chatting on their phones, they are laughing and smiling but when they are around each other in the same room nobody is laughing or smiling for kids its a no no
Michelle D said:
on Thursday 24-Jan-19 09:04 AM
I have read many articles on how bad social media is for your personal self image. With social media you have a constant means by which you can judge yourself against other people and, unfortunately, it is only in extremely rare cases that you will come out feeling better about yourself. There is a strong correlation between social media and depression and if I had children, they wouldn't get anywhere near a smartphone until they can afford to buy one themselves.
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Thursday 24-Jan-19 08:27 AM
I do believe that our phones are taking over our lives. Our children doesn't know how to communicate to others anymore due to the fact that they are glued to their phones. We need to have balance in our lives.
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Thursday 24-Jan-19 07:45 AM
I read an article by Jean. M Twenge” Has smartphones destroyed a generation?”
Really a must read
Jean. M Twenge wrote in his article, “Rates of teen depression and suicide have skyrocketed since 2011. It’s not an exaggeration to describe iGen(Internet Generation) as being on the brink of the worst mental-health crisis in decades. Much of this deterioration can be traced to their phones”
This really shocked me.
Zandelee said:
on Thursday 24-Jan-19 07:43 AM
More and more young children/adults are suffering from depression and committing suicide nowadays due to the amount of time they spent on social media like Instagram which only show all the goods things in people's lifes and never the bad. This to me is sad.
Fikile said:
on Wednesday 23-Jan-19 04:15 PM
Smartphones have got bad influences and in most cases kids end up killing themselves because of social media, it is not easy raising a child who has friends that have smartphones and it is hard for them because they want to be like their friends.
sarah said:
on Wednesday 23-Jan-19 03:39 PM
Technology in general these days are making kids lazy and unhealthy . A lot of kids won't even go play outside anymore they will sit in front on the tv or on the phone watching you tube. It is making kids unsociable . I believe kids must be kids let them play outside and still let him have technology but have a balance between the two.
Megan said:
on Wednesday 23-Jan-19 11:31 AM
Literally yesterday Whatsapp crashed for about 10 minutes and a friend of mine deleted the app and reinstalled it - lost all of her information, which wasn't backed up, in the process. If we weren't so addicted to our phones, something like a 10 minute down time of an app wouldn't affect us that badly or we probably wouldn't have noticed. Part of me thought for a moment that it was intentional, maybe a test, publicity stunt for people to get talking about it again or just for a stir because they know people feel somewhat hopeless without it.
Jolene said:
on Tuesday 22-Jan-19 05:34 PM
I agree, so many people are addicted to theirs phones and the worst part is we don't realise how much time we spend on our phones. Schools are even starting to ban phones.
Jadine Richards said:
on Tuesday 22-Jan-19 03:54 PM
Smart phones and devices are raising the younger generation today. Parents often complain that kids are rude are insolent but by allowing their children access to the entire world I think they are kind of asking for it.
Victoria said:
on Tuesday 22-Jan-19 03:30 PM
Smart Phones are destroying children, children don't know how to be sociable or even start a conversation. Teenagers that are on Instagram, Facebook and twitter are making them depressed , they think they not good enough because they are constantly trying to keep up with social media and new trends. I feel children shouldn't have phones until they much much older.
Brenda Du Toit said:
on Tuesday 22-Jan-19 07:53 AM
Social Media is not good at all.We went out one night and the couple next to us was staring on their phones throughout the night . Where is family time? Social Media is taking over and its sad to see that.
Bianca T said:
on Tuesday 22-Jan-19 07:50 AM
I wish i could dump my phone, not only social media, but you have to have it.
Joyce said:
on Monday 21-Jan-19 04:56 PM
I think this is not nice at all, they earn money out of destroying other people’s lives.
courtney said:
on Monday 21-Jan-19 03:05 PM
I must admit, I was most of my Festive Season Holiday on social media. Ever since work began again, I barely get time to look at my phone! Well, I do listen to some music with my earphones. If your busy enough, social media and cellphones doesn't bother at all.
Jessica M said:
on Monday 21-Jan-19 02:06 PM
I must admit they are very addictive and that is very bad on everyone that owns one. I intend on trying my hardest to keep my kid's off it. I want them to be the best they can and them being consumed by cell phones will not help with that.
Angelica Canosa said:
on Monday 21-Jan-19 01:37 PM
Cellphone addiction has become a norm in our society. I heard that there are even cellphone rehabilitation centers for severe cases of addiction. It is important to realize the effects it will have on our children.
Michelle Smillie said:
on Monday 21-Jan-19 12:38 PM
What I mean is that eliminating technology altogether might not be necessary. Social media usage should definitely be prohibited until a much older age.
Michelle Smillie said:
on Monday 21-Jan-19 12:37 PM
I agree with limiting screen time and social media, but I don't think eliminating them altogether is necessary, depending from person to person of course. I know of a mother who didn't allow her child any form of technology except TV on occasion, and her child needed special assistance because she struggled in school (Dr's and psychologists ruled out any medical concerns). Another mom leaves her child to do as she wishes and the child is the smartest in her grade. (The two girls are the same age).
Aleix said:
on Monday 21-Jan-19 11:44 AM
The simplicity is that they found a way to be successful and took the opportunity. Does not mean that they themselves get addicted etc...it's like a drug dealer, who deals but does not use himself as he most likely knows the danger.
Social media is honestly ruining the world - and it is wuite often you will be sitting at lunch, look around and see couples staring at the phones throughout and not saying one word to each other....it is quite sad
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Monday 21-Jan-19 10:29 AM
My social media break has been nothing but bliss. It was difficult in the beginning and I had a bit of fomo because firstly, everyone speaks about this and that video that was on facebook or did you see so and so did this and that. So you feel a bit left out. I actually had time to do things and my phone sent me a notification that time spent on my phone has gone down by a staggering 78%. I even went to the extreme of changing my phone number (after 16 years) so that only meaningful people can whatsapp me. It is an addiction and the sooner you admit it the more productive you will be and the less likely you will be to hand over a device to your toddler to play with.
Clare said:
on Monday 21-Jan-19 09:12 AM
Social Media is not good for our kids and that is my personal review I watch the news all the time and it is really scary out their how our kids through Social Media get stolen or do silly things. And another Example of bad Social Media, my nephew never had a phone and then we gave him a phone, now he is on Facebook, Instagram and what was a happy, kind and awesome boy is now such a negative person and I really do blame what gets shared on the medias.
I hope one day things can get positive I really hope that people can just get happy.
david said:
on Monday 21-Jan-19 07:15 AM
dumped all social media in december last year.
my phone can make calls, send sms, and receive email.
that's it.
although i do get alerts, they are not accompanied by any sound. just the icon is displayed, and i'll get there when i feel like it.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
