Screen Time

This will be the first time I have ever written a post based on a picture. It is a picture I have on my study wall. This post is as a result of something I saw yesterday and news reports last night.

I so do not want this to be like a bandwagon I am on. It seems to me there are many social ills and many worthwhile causes. But I am a big picture person. I look for answers to the many valid questions. I am satisfied with the answer I have, and it has provided an answer for every question I’ve raised or had raised.

Yesterday I saw something that I have seen before, and it never ceases to amaze and sadden me. A lady had her child’s hand and was walking along. The whole time she had her head in her phone. The child may as well not have been there. He was left to look around and make his own entertainment.

Last night there were news reports about the rampant youth crime rate. What was clearly stated was the government should do something about it. The government said they were pouring millions into the problem. I could not help but think they are attempting to deal with the outcome rather than the cause.

Add to that I notice how often kids are seen with their heads in a screen. There are times when screen time is valid. Those that care know. I cannot help but think a lot of that is learned behaviour.
Kids tend to imitate parents. Many times it seems screens are seen as a way of placating the kids, and they are given something the parents do often. Screens take away the need for interaction. Parents may use a different form of media, but it is something that isolates rather than brings together.

To me youth crime is a parent problem. Everyone wants attention. Kids tend to do outrageous things and get attention. It does not help that so much of what they are viewing is full of violence. It seems a natural follow on to me that violence is perpetrated particularly when added to ice. Consequences are not seen to be as dire as they really are.

I just know that when I was high on something natural defenses were down and actions were not seen in their true light.

There are exceptions galore, but it seems to me exceptions are highlighted and what would deal with the problem for most is ignored as they would not necessarily work on the exceptions.
What I find weird is our propensity for anti-social behaviour. I find it interesting that it seems when anyone loses self-control the desire is not to do good and improve the lot of others, but the desire is often to destroy. In worst case scenarios lives are lost and property is damaged. That says heaps to me about human nature.

I find lasting satisfaction is not found in distractions. Screens screen. Reality always awaits. As long as profits are put before people the dollar will be seen to be the answer to everything. The common cry is “we need to spend more.” Yet it seems to me the cry needed is “what is the best thing I can do right now?”