Cell-Phone Baskets

Last year a Grandparent told me about a new rule in her house when grandchildren come to visit.  They have to put their cell-phones in a basket near the front door.  They get them back when they leave.

 

The point is that grandparents want to talk to their grandchildren. After the initial shock of having to do this, the grandchildren apparently comply without too much fuss. 

It turns out that this rule can have a positive mental health effect on the grandchildren. 

The General Social Survey has discovered that the number of Americans with no close friends has tripled since 1985.  Loneliness is on the rise.  And technology, cell-phones and internet use is a contributing factor to loneliness.  And, amazingly, it is generation Z (18-22 years of age) who comprise the loneliest generation of adults.

Technology is good for many things.  But it can’t replace person-to-person or face-to-face conversations with people we love.  Most Facebook friends don’t cut the mustard!

Do you ever look at texts or check messages in the middle of conversations with people you love? I confess that sometimes I do.   I think I have to change that.