WHO-TV, IA
07-31-07
Technology Taking Personal Toll
July 31, 2007-- For all of the tech/gadget lovers, there's a question to consider: Is
it possible to be addicted to your cell phone, laptop computer or any of the other
numerous devices now out there? Just as the American Medical Association is
considering a study on the addictiveness of gadgets, we wondered how it is
changing life in Iowa.
Inside Jordan Creek mall in West Des Moines, you might find it difficult not to
spot someone either talking or texting on a cell phone. When asked how often
she sent text messages to friends, high school student Emily Richardson said, "
Probably 50. On the car ride to the mall I was going non-stop even though (a
friend) was behind me in the same car, we still text."
The same phenomenon can be found on the campus of Iowa State University.
Cell phones, iPods and laptop computers often compete for time that might
otherwise be spent through face to face interaction.
ISU Professor Michael Bugeja wrote a book on the subject called 'Interpersonal
Divide'. In the book published only a few years ago, Bugeja predicted students
would have a hard time paying attention to the immediate world around them as
their attention turns to electronic gadgets.
Bugeja believes the Iowa Department of Education may need to step in and offer
courses on the proper way to use these gadgets so as to not interfere with
person to person interaction.