Firstly, what is a Digital Addiction? Let's refer to the online Oxford Dictionary for a baseline.
The origins of the term dates back to the late 16th century - denoting a person's inclination or proclivity, but the standard definition being:
"The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity"
From http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/addiction
Whilst the digital landscape is where I find myself both immersed professionally and in my pursuit of understanding, and appreciating the unprecedented value of the "next generation", I have stepped back over the last few months to observe, both myself and others.
The coffee queue:
A line-up of people focused intensely at their 5 inch screens, but obviously not aware of the visual of this. The majority of people I observed on this single (and extensive) study walk up to the barista, announce their coffee, hand over a $5 note, receive the change - all whilst not looking up from their device or taking their headphones out.
My thought is - OK! I am going to alter this trend right here and now. Given I was last in the queue, I could take the time - without inflicting a delay on those others like myself that are also addicted to the before 8am coffee.
I approach the barista - he asks (also whilst not looking at me) - "What would you like?". I respond, "I would like a strong flat white thanks". I pause, as obviously I had not thought through what comes next, "How's this weather - is it summer or winter still?" I blurt out. He stops - looks at me - and then a dialogue starts. We are talking, we are making eye contact and having an exchange.
Four days and many, many coffee's later, he knows my name, whom I work for, and most importantly my coffee order.
This has really shocked me……
As a result, I now wonder what other real engagements we are missing out on because of our addition to digital information and engagement.
As I started to delve further into these behaviours, I found that there is considerable research into our habits regarding devices and in our forever connected lives.
In the UK, they have Technology Addiction programs that cater for patients as young as 4 years old, and this trend is global.
There is numerous articles on a great website Nobullying.com that talks to Internet and Device addiction. In one article, there is reference to some of the physical attributes of this addiction:
- Brain Surface shrinking over time as much as 20 percent
- Withdrawal symptoms including depression
Now the "so what"…
We as a society need to regain the value of genuine human exchange, I believe this would have a real impact on both our personal and professional lives, andin doing re-igniting genuine and authentic collaboration, teaming, and innovation, with the connected environment being a vital and important enabler to our momentum.
What I have personally put into practice:
- I come home, the phone goes in the study. If I am on the phone - I stay outside
- Dinners with my partner: 'Date night' - no phone's allowed
- Weekends away: No laptop, and phone privileges 15 min a day only
- In meetings I will turn my phone over - next step - no phone in meetings
- Be present in meetings: if you're responding to social media, sms or email - do it on your time
- Put the device in your pocket and say 'hi' to someone, a random stranger
- If you are in a conversation: don’t respond to a sms or email, it can wait for 5mins.
In moving away from our Digital Addiction, the goal is learning to find a balance, and the personal reward in doing so.
Written, Researched and collaborated on no less than 4 connected devices.
Copyright: 2015 "We are all Digitally Addicted - what I learnt from the coffee queue ". Darren Needham-Walker
Note: this blog is personal opinion based on experience of the author