Healthy Device Use: How Choosing Family Activities over Screens Can Strengthen Emotional Bonds and Supportive Relationships

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The availability of Wi-Fi on airplanes has transformed the experience of flying by enabling passengers to stay connected to the internet and stay productive or entertained during the flight. Before in-flight Wi-Fi, flights were considered a disconnected state of mind, where passengers had limited access to the internet, which often resulted in developing other activities such as reading, talking, writing, drawing, listening to music, or just simply embracing the fact that you are flying. Literally speaking.

The availability of Wi-Fi on airplanes represents how the usage of the internet has expanded and has become more pervasive in our daily lives. The once disconnected spaces that offered a break from constant communication and connection have become fewer and farther between. The fact that you can now access the internet while on a plane, a place that was once a respite from the digital world, shows how the desire to stay connected has become a ubiquitous part of our lives.

As we become more connected to the internet, we tend to engage less with our immediate surroundings and the people around us. Instead, we enter our own minds, even if we are being productive with work or other tasks.
This disconnection from the present can have #negative #impacts on our #mental and #emotional #well-being. We may miss out on meaningful #interactions with those around us, or fail to #appreciate the beauty of the #present moment. It can also lead to increased feelings of #anxiety and #stress, as we constantly feel the need to be connected and productive.

The constant need to be connected and productive can be traced back to our innate human instincts and desires. According to Freud´s theory of the psyche, the #human #mind is composed of three parts: the id, ego, and superego. The id is the most #primitive part of the mind, consisting of our basic #instincts and #desires, such as the need for food, shelter, and sex.

In modern times, the need for constant connectivity and productivity can be seen as a manifestation of the id's desire for #stimulation and #gratification. The #internet and #smartphones have become the primary sources of this stimulation and gratification, providing us with instant access to information, #entertainment, and #social connection.
Moreover, the id is also associated with the concept of the pleasure principle, which dictates that we seek pleasure and avoid pain. The internet and smartphones can provide us with a sense of pleasure and satisfaction, whether it's through social validation, productivity, or entertainment. Therefore, we may unconsciously associate these devices with pleasure and constantly seek them out, even at the expense of other important aspects of our lives.

I believe that the way we unconsciously associate pleasure with our devices is similar to how babies and young children associate pleasure with objects such as pacifiers, blankets, or toys. These objects provide #comfort and #security, and become a source of #pleasure and gratification.

In a similar way, smartphones and the internet can provide us with a sense of comfort and security. They offer a constant source of entertainment, social interaction, and productivity, which can lead to a feeling of pleasure and gratification. Just like how children become attached to their favorite toys or blankets, we may become attached to our devices as a source of comfort and security.

Moreover, the attachment to these devices can also stem from a psychological phenomenon known as attachment theory. According to #attachment #theory, #infants #develop a sense of attachment to their #caregivers, which serves as a template for future #relationships. Similarly, our attachment to our devices may serve as a template for how we approach relationships with others.

Our attachment to our devices may stem from a psychological need for security, comfort, and pleasure, which can also shape our relationships with others. However, it's important to recognize the potential downsides of this attachment and strive for #balance in our use of #technology.

It's important to note that the constant need for connectivity and productivity can also stem from external #pressures and #societal #expectations. We may feel pressure to always be available and responsive, whether it's for work or social interactions, leading to a constant need to check our devices and stay connected.

It's important to recognize the potential downsides of this constant connectivity and strive for balance, disconnecting from technology and engaging with the present moment and our loved ones.
The constant access to the internet can also make it difficult to disconnect and take a break. We may feel #pressure to constantly check our #emails, messages, and social #media, even when we are supposed to be taking a break or spending time with loved ones.

It's essential to disconnect from the internet and engage with our surroundings and loved ones, even if it's just for a short time. By doing so, we can improve our mental and emotional well-being and appreciate the beauty of the present moment.
The availability of Wi-Fi on airplanes has also transformed air travel into a regular place to be in. With Wi-Fi, business travelers can continue to work during flights, and remote workers can use flights as an opportunity to catch up on work.

The expansion of the internet and usage of smartphones has also been associated with worse emotional states in some cases. The constant connectivity and accessibility to the internet can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and social #isolation. Additionally, the excessive use of smartphones can lead to #addiction, #disrupt #sleep patterns, and negatively impact mental #health.

Therefore, while Wi-Fi on airplanes has undoubtedly changed the experience of flying for the better, it is important to be mindful of the potential negative effects of excessive internet and smartphone use. Passengers should strive to use in-flight Wi-Fi in moderation and balance their use of technology with other activities that promote relaxation, such as reading or listening to music.

Before the availability of Wi-Fi and the rise of smartphones, people had to rely on physical interactions and activities to stay connected and entertained. They would go out, meet friends, read books, write letters, and engage in various forms of social activities. The dependence on phones was minimal, and people were more present in the moment, focusing on the immediate environment and engaging with others.
People's behaviors have changed

They are now more reliant on technology to stay connected and entertained, and this has led to a decrease in #physical #interactions and activities. People now spend more time on their phones, scrolling through social media, texting, or checking emails, and less time engaging with others or participating in activities that promote relaxation or socialization.

This unconscious and unaware way of coping with pain can lead to the worsening of previous psychological traumas.

People may use their phones as a way to avoid facing their emotional pain or trauma, leading to a cycle of avoidance and emotional numbing. This can result in further isolation and disconnection from others, which can exacerbate existing mental health conditions.
Therefore, while smartphones may provide entertainment and work-related benefits, it is essential to recognize their potential negative impacts on mental health and take steps to mitigate them.

People must aim to balance their use of technology with other activities that promote physical and social engagement, such as reading a book, going out with friends, or practicing mindfulness techniques. By doing so, individuals can #improve their mental health and well-being and mitigate the negative effects of technology #dependence.

The use of devices and smartphones can also have a significant impact on the way parents interact with their children, potentially leading to threats in upbringing a child.

When parents spend excessive amounts of time on their devices, they may become less present and engaged with their children, leading to reduced eye contact and less face-to-face communication.
This lack of engagement can hinder a child's emotional and social development, as eye contact and face-to-face communication are essential for building strong emotional bonds and developing communication skills.

Children learn how to communicate and socialize by watching and interacting with their parents, and when parents are not fully present, they may miss important developmental milestones.
Additionally, excessive use of devices can lead to a distracted and inattentive parenting style, which can impact a child's emotional well-being. Children need to feel heard and understood, and when parents are not fully present, they may feel ignored or dismissed, leading to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Therefore, it is crucial for parents to recognize the impact of device use on their interactions with their children and take steps to mitigate it. This can involve setting boundaries for device use, such as establishing device-free times or zones in the home. This starts with parents establishing device-free times for themselves. Additionally, parents can aim to be more present and engaged with their children, actively listening and engaging in face-to-face communication, and modeling healthy device use behaviors.

By prioritizing face-to-face communication and engagement with their children, parents can promote healthy emotional and social development and build strong, supportive relationships with their children.
It's important to recognize that we have the power to control our use of these devices and prioritize face-to-face communication and engagement with our loved ones, especially our children.

When parents choose to leave their phones aside and engage in activities that promote physical and social engagement, they can reconnect with their children and make better engagement and upbringing. This can involve setting aside time for family activities, such as going for a walk or playing a game, and actively engaging in meaningful conversations with their children.

By doing so, parents can help foster strong emotional bonds and build healthy communication skills with their children, leading to improved emotional and social development.

It's important to remember that small changes can make a big difference in promoting healthy device use and strengthening family relationships.

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