What you miss when becoming a mobile zombie

In the TED Talk video, a presenter shared his experience with the audience of how technology has affected his life negatively. When he was a young boy, he enjoyed a peaceful childhood with the love of his parents and family. He did lots of outdoor activities such as riding bikes and skateboarding. Technology for him at the time was just a TV and a telephone. By the time the computer became a thing, he said he was “blown away” because computers were such a massive innovation. During his early adulthood, he made a mistake by letting his son play video games at a very young age. He only spent time with his son playing video games but not outdoors, something he regretted until now. He grew so attached to his online profile that it sometimes made him miss a crucial moment. One example he gave was at a table tennis tournament where his son participated. When his child was playing the final points before winning the contest, the speaker lost his attention to the vibration from his phone, thus missing the moment his son became the champion. Next, he showed a study that no small number of children aged 2-4 can skillfully operate an iPad, but have difficulties with everyday tasks like speaking, grasping, drawing, and writing. The problem is the parents rely on electronic devices to be digital babysitters. People nowadays depend on technology so much that they have turned into mobile zombies. They would go outside, stare at their phones while walking, emerge in their online world, and not interact with each other. However, the issue isn't solved. It raises another concern: the youths' development is affected. A normal kid should be active, talkative, and able to socialize rather than sitting in one place holding a phone. The speaker cited a quote: "There are no apps better than your lap. " The meaning is there's nothing that can replace a parent's love for their children. The child craves parental attention and affection, not some form of online entertainment. At one time, the speaker and his son traveled to Thailand to meet his father. They got an opportunity to meet a Buddhist monk. Despite looking poor, he is "the wealthiest man in the world. " He is not the richest, but what he has is communication, mutual love, and connections among his local people. That is something more valuable than any materials today. As for the presenter, it was a "wake-up call" to him. When he went back home, he distanced himself from technology. To balance his habits, he started going out more, spending quality time with his family, and prioritizing what is important to him. The message he wants to send here is although technology might have a major factor in your life, do not let it take control. Pay attention to things that matter to you, and you should not focus on the phone so much that you lose track of your surroundings.