from the Diane Rehm Show...

The following is from a recent broadcast on the Diane Rehm Show on National Public Radio:

The obsessive use of digital technology is a real problem for many teens and children, say parents and therapists. A recent study by Common Sense Media, a parent advocacy group, found that 59 percent of parents think their teens are “addicted” to mobile devices. A growing number of psychologists specialize in treating young people who use digital technology obsessively— some even to the point of not eating or sleeping. ––How to help teens and children fight tech addiction.

Video games are purposely designed to capture and keep the child's attention through a system of rewards (and punishments.) This is well documented and is a strategy acknowledged by game producers. And yet, parents gladly enable this addiction thinking that games offer some development of useful skill like hand and eye coordination.  These parents take some  pleasure in having their children distracted from doing real things and making a nuisance of themselves. When it  comes to hand and eye coordination, even scissors can provide that. When you work with real tools, to create useful beauty, that, too can be addictive, but in service of mankind. There is a difference.

Yesterday I finished a fret board for a six string box guitar.

Today I plan to pick up a large load of oak lumber that I had milled for materials for building a boat. I will sticker it for drying under the barn.

Make, fix, create, and extend to others the love of learning likewise.