I am not really anti-technology. My own sons certainly see me as a bit of a digital troglodyte – I do realise this – but I am a user of technology, and rely on my notebook and my iPad quite heavily. I was once a Headmaster, and very proud of my independent school in NZ, that was the first “wireless” school campus in Australasia and everyone was equipped with a  laptop. We were very much at the “bleeding edge” in technology, back in the late 90s that was. I love technology, well at least certain aspects of it. However, I am becoming quite worried about the effect that the increased amount of time our young people are spending on screens is having on them.

This week, at Newington, we had the privilege of hosting Baroness Susan Greenfield, a neuroscientist specialising in brain growth and well-being. Her incredibly gripping lecture on “Finding our Moral Compass in the Digital Age “ was very salutary especially in relation to the impact of gaming and digital media upon the actual functioning and make-up of our brains and human behaviour – particularly for young people whose brains are still developing.

Just in this recent holiday period I was chatting (face to face) with some of our young relatives and we ventured onto the topic of computer use in the home – meaning computer use for various games. As the mother of the household entered the fray the discussion ended up getting quite heated and she expressed her exasperation at the amount of time her two teenage sons spend playing “war games” on their computers in their spare time. I was astonished when one of my young relatives offered the argument that his particular computer game was very creative and that because he was rapidly using a number of fingers that he would not usually be using, that he was in fact learning skills that a surgeon would use in surgery, and so his gaming was in effect preparing him for skilled occupations. What could I say? The game “Dark Soul” was mentioned as one that hooks its users in, and has a very powerful addictive influence on them.

In the coming weeks I will be co-ordinating a “sleep survey” of our Years 7 – 11 students in order to have some insight into whether or not a significant number of our boys are “sleep deprived”. My observation is that many are but we have yet to verify this with empirical data. One of the things I will be seeking to discover is what it actually is that is drawing off hours of their sleep time. A presumption that I confess to holding is that a significant number are “gaming” – playing computer games late into the night. Of course I am also predicting that “social media” will also make an appearance in the data. However, far be it from me to pre-empt the findings of this survey. I promise to honestly reflect the survey findings once they have been gathered.

Technology is supposed to enhance life, not diminish it. I see  too many signs that screen-time is detracting us from the quality of our life rather than adding to it. Sure we have greater access to information and knowledge, but at what price? Do we interact better with our friends and associates? Have our relationships with others become more meaningful, and open, and caring? Are our homes happier places? Are our young brains developing “normally”, or are their aberrations appearing in vital parts of our brain that will diminish who we are as people and affect our sensible and ethical decision-making capabilities in our future (as Baroness Greenfield suggests)?

Let me make it clear, it is not the technology (the iPhones, the iPads, or the PCs) that are the problem – it’s how we use them, or misuse them and allow them to dominate our lives. I want to wrap things up now by quoting from two people – one is the Executive Chairman of Google, Mr Eric Schmidt, the other is that wise sage, the Apostle Paul.

Eric Schmidt – “Stop reading this blog and go read a book!”

The apostle Paul – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

David N Williams
Newington College Chaplain