Just sit back, take some time and reflect on the relationship between technology and the people around you. Who do you think is really in control, is it ourselves or could it be technology. Have you ever wondered if we are using technology or could today's technology be using us.
What are the effects of technology on our lives, friendships, work, thinking, marriage or children.

Developing an adiction to technology is common among "digital natives", they have developed an unhealthy dependency on the technology of our day, such that it affects their ability to function well in their everyday life.
Have you observed that some people can not engage in face to face conversation as well as they would with the help of technology, they find it easy to say things over the phone or in a message, things they could not say in person. Let's call it "Technosocial Anxiety". Even when such a behavior is wracking havock in their lives, they still can not help themselves.

Some have developed an interesting relationship with technology a collaboration with technology that results in a more effective result. When a human views thechnology as an extension of their brains also known as extended intelligence. With access to technology, such persons are very intelligent and resourceful but will only be 40% as intelligent without the help of technology. Do you know anyone who fits this description? Are such persons master or slaves to technology?

_Pixabay

The term "technoference" refers to strain relationship due to paying too much attention to our devices, which results in very limited face-to-face conversation, no quality time or mealtime, resulting in children not having enough perental attention. Due to their affinity to technology people are becoming less empathetic towards others, a quality needed to build strong relationships. Without real friends, they often become lonely and self-centered.
Do you have a relative who may follow you to a small party or family gathering and while others are busy having conversations and interactions, this one is all alone, enjoying the company of his or her phone.
What about you? Do you have more Facebook and online friends than you have in the physical world? Are you able to cultivate and maintain genuine friendships in the physical world?
_Pixabay
Couples can use technology to communicate and strengthen their relationship though it could also come in as a ledge between a couple, such that they are using the same couch but are very far from each other, a phenomenon now known as "phubbing" or phone snubbing.

For parents who are Steemians, it's alot more difficult to set a good example. Your kids are likely not going to differentiate between your work and leisure with the phone. They tend to see you on your phone all the time and as children, they often copy our examples, doing what we do and just a little of what we say.
For parents who do not work on their phones, it's easy to reduce screen time setting a good example for their kids. It is also ideal to set rules like, no phone during mealtime. And create supervised accounts for young children.

We don't really process or attempt to understand the information we find on the internet, we are more interested in locating the information, a tendency popularly known as "Search Mode".
Technology has also resulted in "digital amnesia", due to the use of digital organizers, electronic to-do lists and reminders, a lot of people have become less able to remember things. We have devices to store, access and retrieve information at will.

While technology is very useful for our daily activities, it is important to put it to good use and avoid being controlled by technology. We should not spent too much time on social media, neglecting the people around us. Technology should improve our lives and not manage it for us.