Technology: A blessing or curse

Recall the 90’s when the first cell phone company emerged in the Pakistan’s telecommunication industry. That was the time when everybody could not affordthe perks of being in contact with their loved ones anytime they wanted by owning a cell phone. However, after about two decades, people cannot afford not to own a personal cell phone. Unlike the 90’s, half a dozen companies operate in Pakistan today each trying to offer the cheapest possible rates that can help us get connected with our loved ones without thinking about the word “affordable”. These rapid technological advancements in the past few decades have made the world a global village today. We can contact anyone, anywhere in the world with just the touch of a finger. Today, life seems unimaginable without all the technological gadgets like cell phones, notebooks, tablets etc. With all these fascinating and unimaginable benefits of technology, we might be missing on the negative impact of this technology oriented lifestyle on our health and well-being. When we talk about health, it’s the health of our children that is at the highest risk if they keep pacing with the same lifestyle. Studies have shown that increased use of electronic gadgets can cause attention deficit disorders in children. Moreover, children’s mental and physical abilities are also being affected by confining to their rooms with electronic gadgets most of the time and spending less time in socializing and playing outside with peers. Another threat posed by social networking sites pertains to virtual personalities adopted by children especially teenagers. While they suffer from the identity crisis, they seek more comfort in their virtual selves than the real world they live in, which can have a negative impact on their overall well being. In a closing nutshell, everything has its pros and cons. However, we can always learn to make the best use of anything we have. It’s our responsibility to understand the best use of technology and then use it in a way that impacts the wellbeing of ourselves and our children in the best possible way.