Is modern technology really anti-social? Does it get in the way of real, old-fashioned conversation? What do you think and are your experiences.

Jean Mark
As ever clarity and sense again.
Being a member of the older generation I feel many of us are stuck in the past in some respects.
Technology is progressing at a pace it's not a scary thing but takes time and a finances, so we cant escape remember when cash was not an option but the norm.
My children were taught computer skills in the 80's and 90's.
My grandchildren aged 12 and 4 ,times two
are currently developing their skills The young ones have used a tablet for the last year .The 12 year old has been able to help me ,my daughter lacks patience but uses a computer most days as an Admission Officer. Whereas an electric typewriter was a cause of excitement for me.

Hi Jeanmark,
well that's telling me. Luckily I am not a 'sheep' and think for myself.
I see a place for technology in the work place. Analysing mass data ,sharing of scientific findings and modelling and all the wonderful 3D designing. Technology in medical situations clearly is of benefit to people. I even appreciate it gives opportunities for businesses to expand their advertising etc...... I have no problem with that.. Space travel would not be where it is without technology. It's work related.

I don't know if mobile phones 'save lives' you'd have to find some statistics to prove that. It's an assumption.

My concern is the effect on the younger generation. Terrorist-ISIS- were very good at using the internet for organising destruction. and grooming young people etc.... The negative side is enormous for young people. Young women are putting botox in their faces because they view themselves by how many 'likes' they get. It is damaging the self worth of young people .Pedophiles are getting access to young children. What more needs to be said. ?
Teenagers don't have a sense of community because they invest their time with virtual friends, who aren't really friends. I wonder how many rapes and assaults have happened due to the easy access to hard porn.
It is our duty to protect the younger generation as best we can.
The young need to be protected. They are the future.

Hello silverbutterfly

I am not sure where the ‘sheep’ reference came from, I do not feel understanding and accepting the benefit of modern technology means you are not an independent thinker.

I agree with much of what you have said regarding the negative side of the internet, in particular social media, but that does not mean ignoring the positives. Much of the examples you have given were around before the internet, but I agree it has made certain things easier. Protecting children is important but parents have a great part to play and the benefits for children and teenagers from having controlled access to computers is evident by the range and diversity of knowledge they can acquire. The internet is just one medium that can have a negative effect on young people, so many older women have botox, plus advertising in magazines can influence young females and males, not all is the fault of the internet. Yes, bullying can occur via social media, as can belittling someone for the way they look, but that has been happening well before the internet and social media. Children can be cruel and will always find a way to hurt and humiliate others.

Mobile phones can save lives, two examples are the App called “What 3 words”, paramedics have certainly witnessed the benefit of this, and carrying your phone when out walking alone can help if something goes wrong, particularly when in the countryside. I have no idea if such statistic have been gathered, my observation is based on experience, never assumption.

I tend to look at things from all angles before making a decision on their use. Cars are known to be dangerous and certainly kill, we accept these negative because the positive outweigh them, as a result we let young people learn to drive even though we are aware of the dangers. Computers and the internet are the same, the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Hello silverbutterfly

I am not sure where the ‘sheep’ reference came from, I do not feel understanding and accepting the benefit of modern technology means you are not an independent thinker.

I agree with much of what you have said regarding the negative side of the internet, in particular social media, but that does not mean ignoring the positives. Much of the examples you have given were around before the internet, but I agree it has made certain things easier. Protecting children is important but parents have a great part to play and the benefits for children and teenagers from having controlled access to computers is evident by the range and diversity of knowledge they can acquire. The internet is just one medium that can have a negative effect on young people, so many older women have botox and advertising in magazines can influence young females and males, not all is the fault of the internet. Yes, bullying can occur via social media, as can belittling someone for the way they look, but that has been happening well before the internet and social media. Children can be cruel and will always find a way to hurt and humiliate others.

Mobile phones can save lives, two examples are the App called “What 3 words”, paramedics have certainly witnessed the benefit of this, and carrying your phone when out walking alone can help if something goes wrong, articulacy when in the countryside. I have no idea if statistics have been collected but my observations are based on experience.

I tend to look at things from all angles before making a decision on their use. Cars are known to be dangerous and certainly kill, we accept these negative because the positive outweigh them, as a result we let young people learn to drive even though we are aware of the dangers. Computers and the internet are the same, the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Hi Jean Mark
I think I might be out of sync here. Anyway, what a beautiful written response to your last comment.
Unfortunately it is true we can not un-do what has happened that is why I describe the effect of IT, the internet and mobile phones as a wave that has over taken us. I should have used the word Tsunami. We've been swept away.
There's already been inquires into the working of the huge Internet Companies. Whistle blowers exposing their work ethics.
As I said I'm all for it in the work arena but it is time to put in more controls to protect people young and old. Push back the tsunami.
I think there is actual evidence that mobile phones kill. Legislation had to be put in place to prevent people from driving and using their mobile phones.
I taught for many years in what is nicely called 'difficult' schools you presume too much on the responsibility of parents. It's not there. The young people often know more than their parents. I have sat in waiting rooms and watched mum's on mobile phones ignoring their young children or they've given their child their own mobile to keep them quiet. That happens a lot these days mum's more interested in their mobile than interacting with their children. I see it all the time.
As I said to someone I grew up post war. There was a stronger sense of community and when we went out to meet others it was face to face. To me that is how it should be. That is what makes sense to me. My dog is nagging me for attention so I have to go.

Hi silverbutterfly

You are not out of sync, my computer was playing up and posted my response twice, I apologise for that.

I think we actual agree, may be I should have said that parents should take responsibility but also many do and try to learn from their children to keep up, I do no include those parents who themselves have special learning needs.

There will always be those that do not do what is expected of them. I still see people who refuse to wear seat belts, drink and drive, and, as you note, using mobile phones. I’m not sure we should put a holt on progress to accommodate these. I am fortunate in knowing many young people who use modern technology responsibly.

I do agree on the community spirit we all grew up with appears to have been lost, I think it is a consequence of modern living. I’m not sure how that can be recovered with todays fast paced society wanting everything yesterday! They expect everything they want regardless of whether they have the ability to afford it. Which generation taught them this was an acceptable way to live, technology may have been advancing but didn’t teach this. I don’t think it is just large IT corporations that need to be explored more closely. We need to try and recover the concept that big isn’t necessarily better. I do not need a 72 inch TV screen on my wall. As I child I was happy to sit and watch the test card until a programme started in black and white on a 12 inch screen. Now I find computers and social media help in keeping touch wth family and friends who lives miles and continents apart and who I can not to see face to face regularly. My phone can be used in an emergency by a paramedic to check my medication and health history quickly.

When considering IT and social media, young people today do not appear to have any self regulation. We were taught this from a young age. I started as a cadet nurse 1 week after my 16 birthday, I soon learnt self discipline and not once was I treated as child, but as an adult that had to just get on with it and learn. The world was completely different when I finished 47 years later!

Hi Jeanmark,
this has been the best conversation I've had on line and it appears that others have joined in. This is good for people to exchange opinions.
Chatting with my son I now see that the old type mobiles where it is just a phone does have a place with keeping people in touch and for access to emergency services. I have personally stayed away from learning about aps etc... can't tolerate talking to a machine. Many life times ago I started a degree course in Computer Studies at a time when computers filled a temperature control room and programs were put in using punched cards. Being a social animal it just completely bored me. Life directed me onto my true course after that year into teaching -maths.
Well it's been a pleasure exchanging opinions. In the end we have no power to bring about change so we bystanders watching life as it changes play out.

I will leave you with the results of a survey that was carried out a few years ago. When asked the majority of women said they would prefer to give up sex before they gave up their mobile phone.
My first reaction was - well that's a condemnation of the ability of British men.
my next was- these poor women, what they have missed out on. maybe the addiction of mobile phones numbs the senses.

Take care

Barbara

I never thought mobile phones would be that important…

I have returned to following this debate .I must say it's the most interesting thing I've read on Silver Surfers for a long time.Myself and my best friend from.Southampton both celebrated our 70th birthdays with her visiting me in Scotland
My nephew and family visited from.Chhelmsford.During Lockdown I made a family archive scrapbook,well this was a source of great interest and amusement.After all.the celebrations I have my daughter a Thank you card.She said it wasn't necessary as everything was recorded on people's phone.I suggested that in twenty years. She might. not have the event on her phone but that she could keep.the card forever.
So I've decided to ask.my elder granddaughter to help.me make a digitial.archive.I think this would be an excellent way for us techno dinasours to learn computer skills whilst our grandchildren would learn about their relatives past and present.
I haven't asked her yet I'll text her I'm.more likely to get a response she might even speak to me on the phone LOL

Ecarg, that's a good idea, we have all our photos etc. digitised as well as keeping originals..

I think Longliverocknroll that people make a choice and I accept that, I have friends who do embrace change and others who prefer the status quo. Age is not necessarily the issue as there are younger people who may reject the age of technology and others who have no choice as keeping abreast of modern technology may be beyond their reach because of cost. The pandemic taught us that not very child had a laptop or tablet and their parents were not necessarily in a position to provide one.

As to adult children leaving their parents 'lost' in a world dependant on technology, surely it is up to the parent to make a choice when given the information, not for children to force change upon them.

Mr Ron, I hope one of the benefits of being older is the ability to marry the two - the old with the new - and appreciate the benefits of both.

JeanMark - every generation has the ability to marry the two, every generation has the ability to adapt, but we both know that not everyone does, Look at Brexit, look at Covid, look at the last 70 years and the resistance to change.. We both know that not everybody buys into everything

Mr Ron, I would agree with you on that point. I have friends in their 80’s and 90’s who, during the pandemic, had regular zoom sessions with their family and friends to keep in touch, and have continued to have these as it makes it easier for all when having to travel long distances to be able to meet face to face. Then there are those much younger who refuse to get involved with such technology believing it is better to drive 50/60 miles just to have a coffee, even with the increase in fuel costs. My older friends then ask why they are being blamed for climate change!

Isn't that a one sided view?
Silverbutterfly
You survived I survived but consider those that have survived because they were able to use their mobiles to.get help.
Rene personal account illustrates the benefit of brings,
Technology has made huge benefits in the science and medicine world.
Vaccines.medication skilled operations all need people and our technology to advance them
I.understand the negatives but again it's people that cause the problems technology is here to stay..

This is one of the best reasons to embrace technology I have heard.
I am fortunate that I can hear and I have tried to learn sign language in the past but because I'm not using it I.cant remember much.
How much better this must be for you Rene.

No wonder it's quiet if the tablet has taken over everyone will have their mouths full sugar is the enemy now.

As a grumpy old woman I have to agree with you ecarg but don't think it is modern technology that's the problem, basic good manners no longer appear to be taught to some people or maybe it's being at a checkout all day!

I agree good manners are in decline but drop the technology a bit and speak to each other one to one and also lets practise another dying art and actually listen to each other properly.

I won't argue with that sentiment ecarg. Recently a good friend of mine in her eighties and a retired schoolteacher noted that the vicar, whilst she was speaking, kept looking at his watch. She smiled and asked him if he would like her to teach him to tell the time as he appeared to be having problems. She thought that more polite than saying "Am I boring you"!

Vicar was probably to polite to say he was in a hurry to be somewhere else and was relying on body language. Mixed messages - the British certainly have a wealth of communication methods and speaking of this it's a pity sign language is not more widely taught . I used to be able to use some Makaton but have forgotten most of what I knew.

I think my friend was aware of his workload but felt he shouldn't have visited her if he did't have the time!

As a nurse it was necessary to acquire the skill of reading body language particularly when working with 'challenging' patients. I have always found it a fascinating subject.

My step-granddaughter is special needs and has been taught a variation of Makaton to help with communication. Interestingly she now has an iPad with a special programme that allows her to communicate in an easier fashion.

I used to teach communication to student nurses, particularly the art of listening and was able to give some really good examples of when health care workers did not communicate their message adequately. Sadly, I continue to fail in reading my husbands body language when I'm talking!!

this is true, I now get emails and skype messages from loads of nigerian and ghanaians people I never would have heard of .... and I bet you didnt know .... age doesnt matter ... 😀

A friend mine (92 year old) has recently suggested that when considering evolution, future babies may well be born with mobile phones attached to their hand!

My app for that is in my brain! So I don't need tech., just start up a conv. When the situation is right and away we go! I call them all tech. Zombies!

please dont tell me you took what I said seriously ... heheheh

I think ipads are fantastic. just so easy to connect to and look at details when watching TV etc. We always have ours when we are relaxing watching TV and there may be a fact we look up say when seeing a wildlife programme or even when I am watching football!

Yes I agree there is nothing more annoying than phones going off in the cinema. I also hate it when people are speaking loudly on public transport!