After discovering the CNN.com article that claimed some 13-year olds check social media upwards of 100 times a day, this was the quote that struck me the hardest;
“I would rather not eat for a week than get my phone taken away. It’s really bad.”
Understandably, right? That is some sense of perspective and as an older human being I am not one to judge but just one to worry about where this leads.
Of course this is a great time to remind us all that 2 weeks at summer camp means no technology but this sort of statistic makes me even more self aware and concerned that we adults struggle to cope without the crutch of social media and our devices too. Imagine what we could or should be doing instead? Thinking, talking, looking, breathing, driving or just waiting…. I personally find it hard to sit at a red light these days and just wait for it turn green.
When our campers leave the West Virginia mountains after 2 weeks they always talk about how much they enjoy the break from technology, and all that involves. We love offering them that respite and look forward to doing so for many years to come. In the future when we’re dealing with holograms, virtual reality social media, or whatever the next big this is, we will continue to provide children with a safe and happy place free of many distractions but with the type of activity and natural distraction that will always be welcome – watching a rain storm from a porch, campfire chats, card games, bedtime stories, walks with cheers to and from activities and much more.