Step away from the phone

Last week, I had the pleasure of spending time with my favorite two-year old boy. We went to the Seneca Park Zoo and to the Strong Museum of Play.

The zoo was terrific. It was a great day, not too warm, blue sky with puffy white clouds, and not too crowded. The new lion exhibit was open. Some of the animals were a little too much for my friend, as they were quite a lot bigger than he is. The fish tank in the polar bear/sea lion house was quite a hit. Just his size.

The museum visit was less successful. It started raining heavily just as we got there. There were lots of school kids there. Noise, lights, and movement were everywhere. I think it was just overload for my little friend.

Two different days, two different experiences. Lots of things to do and see. But guess what I saw most? Parents on smart phones not paying any attention to their kids.

Yes, technology is wonderful. I couldn't live without computers or the Internet. But in some respects, I am a Luddite when it comes to smart phones. Of course I have a cell phone--a 6- or 7- year-old Nokia. It makes calls. I can take pictures with it, but don't. I can text, and do use it for short messages (which is where the acronym, SMS, comes from). It is there for emergencies, to make quick plans to to change plans, to verify grocery lists.

But why would I be glued to a phone when a youngster is discovering the world around him? The amazing wide eyes, the quick intake of breath, the "ohhhh" when he sees something new or exciting. Is ANYTHING on a phone better than that?

It's time we put down the phones and engage in the world around us. The human side of technology knows when too much technology is simply too much.