Hypocrisy in Technology

As I write this blog, I realize what a hypocrite I am.  Like many others, technology is dominating my life!  I'm constantly on my phone, email, candy crush saga, etc.  When I'm at home with my family, I've always got my phone near by, or computer, or tablet.  For that matter, so does everyone else in my house.  We rarely have conversations anymore that don't include some type of electronic devise present. 

All that being said, I'm currently preparing a seminar about raising well-rounded children in the technology filled world.  I've always understood that limitations needed to take place, but as I've researched this topic, I'm becoming more and more concerned. 

Technology absolutely has it's place, but what we are doing to our children by letting them have unlimited access to electronics from birth on is causing so many problems.  I'd like to be able to say that "my kiddo" is fine with all the electronics.  It hasn't impacted him negatively.  But ALL parents should understand that ALL children are negatively impacted.  Just because it has become the norm in our society does not mean that it is what's best. 

Attention:  YES...All children can focus on a video game for hours and hours, but why can't they focus on their homework or playing with a toy for more than 2 minutes?  Video games are designed to create huge spurts of dopamine in the brain.  As the child's pleasure system becomes overused, the try harder and harder to get that "spurt" again.  This phenomenon is being compared to drug addictions.

Now...we want our children to play with a toy, interact with friends, read a book, etc., but the child doesn't get the dopamine rush from that.  This causes them to lose focus in order to search for the "rush" they are seeking. 

I read the book, Growing Up Social by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane.  This is a great resource for families that are looking for ways to make changes.  If our kids are struggling...WE, as parents, have to make the change.

I've been an educator for almost 30 years.  Today I have the wonderful opportunity to conduct seminars to educators and parents.  By far, the hottest topic of conversation is about the increase in ADHD.  So many questions come up, and people have very strong opinions about it. 

Here's what I know...

• Children ARE different today compared to the kiddos I taught 25 years ago.
• Technology is playing a role in the increased diagnosis.  I'm NOT saying it is the cause, but trying to say that it isn't a factor is simply not true.
• Nutrition is also relevant!  I know...some in the medical community do not necessarily feel that this is proven, but if we wait to get the "official" stamp of approval from them, we'll be handing out Ritalin as the kids walk through the doors at school. 
• Our teachers are faced with more challenges in the classroom than ever before: larger classes, rigid curriculum, increasing numbers of struggling kids, and state testing that does not match the population of kids and their learning styles, etc.........

I could go on and on, and I will at a later time.

I'll leave you with this thought.  It is 2015.  New research numbers should be published soon. Previous years, we've seen the numbers of children with ADHD and on medication increase at an alarming rate.  I expect that the numbers will be even more significant.

"Health care providers who care for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and public health practitioners should be aware that an estimated two million more US children were reported by their parents to be diagnosed by a health care provider with ADHD and a million more were reported to be taking medication for ADHD in 2011, compared to 2003. These health professionals should also be aware of the changing patterns of ADHD in the United States."
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/features/key-findings-adhd72013.html

What do you think is going on?  What should be do about it?