Technology - Friend or Foe?

I have been thinking a lot about my use of modern technology. I spend a lot of time using it everyday. I do the accounting for my family's business, so many hours each week are spent at my desk in front of the computer. I have a laptop that I keep in my living room where I spend time blogging, reading blogs, and just general web surfing. I also have an iPhone which enables me to be connected at all times. I am able to check my email, Facebook, the weather, anything. I LOVE my iPhone! I wonder how I survived without it. But is being so connected, all the time, a good thing?

Sure, it's great to have access to information at the click of the mouse. Yes, it's important to be able to be contacted in the event of an emergency. But is it necessary to check personal email constantly throughout the day or to check Facebook to see what your "friends" are up to? Or to be constantly playing games or uploading apps? Probably not.

I find myself playing with my phone quite often. And honestly I haven't thought about it being a problem because I try not to let it interfere with my real life people interaction. But when I see other people preoccupied with their phone, it makes me realize that, when I am with my family and friends, I should put my phone away. My family and friends deserve my attention and are way more important than playing some silly game. And really, email is just not that important.