Technology and Relationships At Loggerheads

The advancement of technology has no doubt improved communication. However, inadequate understanding of the proper utilisation of this beautiful tool of communication can have adverse effects on relationships.

As much as technology has its positivity, we can definitely not down play it's negative effects on human relationships.

I have seen people tell blantant lies about their location over the phone. Many start extramarital affairs via social media. Couples keep their devices under lock and key either because they have hidden agendas or they do not trust each other enough. Physical talk time between couples is being threatened by technology use time.

The obsession with these devices is alarmingly on the rise. As if the devices themselves were not doing enough harm already, they came up with the external battery pack idea which of course is not bad in itself but may as well extend the technology use time at the expense of our important human relationships.

 Some husbands prefer to play games on their device, watch the same football replays over and over or simply chat away than spending quality time with their wives.

Some wives too would rather watch soap operas for several hours than give their full attention to their husbands.

A wife is trying to say something important to her husband and all she gets is a man with his face buried in his device. The wife feels rejected and out of her quest for survival in the seemingly cold relationship, she diverts her attention to one or more fruits of technology. Both the husband and wife are now put assunder by phones, tablets, televisions etc.

Eye contact with technological devices are in serious competition with physical Eye contact between couples.

We need to violently take back the sanity of our relationships by force.

And how will this be possible?

Take practical steps towards ensuring that your relationship is not a victim of the back lash of technology.

Set boundaries. Put rules in place to curb excessive devotion to technological devices. For instance, set constant sleeping time for your devices so that you can devote time to relating with your spouse (e.g. no device use after 9pm). Or declare phones to be prohibited at the dining table. Or that you must set your device aside and look into your spouse's eyes whenever he/she wants to speak with you.

Keep those devices out of sight and out of mind during important discussions, date nights with your spouse and even dinner.

. . .and be totally honest with your spouse. Rid yourself of secrets to protect your relationship.

Carry out constant evaluation of your technology : relationship time share. And be sure to put your devices under check.

Don't ignore your spouse's complaint about you neglecting him/her because of your devices.

Wisdom is profitable to direct. . .

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2015