Positive Education - Three Shots Not Required

By definition, a pandemic is something that is prevalent over a whole country or the world. So, what is the real pandemic? Is it something that we all wear masks to avoid or is it something else?

We are all guilty of spending too much time on our devices. In Economics we learn about opportunity cost. In simple language, when we are doing one thing, the cost of doing that is the other activity we are not doing. So, if we are sitting glued to our devices, what else could we be doing instead? Could we be having a real conversation with a human or walking around the block with our friend the Labrador? Kicking a ball at the local park? With most things in life, a price is to be paid. I have a feeling this price will be high, but it is still being tallied.

My students will readily tell me they spend between 2 hours and 18 hours a day on their devices. (The average seems to be around 4 to 6.) A few years prior I conducted a poll with my class in my Auckland school on daily hours spent glued to a screen. When one boy put forward the number 18 his classmates thought he was simply after a reaction and he was quickly ridiculed. Surely, he would spend some time sleeping it was suggested. He took immediate offence and then justified his position. The sad thing is, I believe him.

Technology has helped the world immeasurably in many ways. It can also be harmful. Our devices are invasive and are becoming an extension of our bodies. I see this everywhere. In cafes, schools, shopping centres, waiting rooms, living rooms, need I go on. I am also guilty. It’s a pandemic and perhaps more destructive than the other one I have deliberately not named. 

The cure for this one is simple and it has no side effects as far as I am aware. Three shots are not required!