Electronic addict

01 February 2009
Cogito, DCHerald


ATTENTION PARENTS: If you notice that your adolescent son or daughter locks himself or herself in his or her room, or spends a lot of time in an internet café nearby, or wears headphones all day, or worst, with both thumbs swollen, no doubt, he or she is an electronic addict.

It is not difficult to detect these symptoms among young people nowadays. But in saying so, I don’t exclude the possibility that the not-so-young sector may also be affected by this modern phenomenon called electronic addiction. We shall leave it to the experts in statistics to provide us with concrete data as to what electronic device is most commonly used among young boys or girls, or how much time they spend in videogames and internet café. These data – very informative as they are – tend to provide us only with a general picture, but do not necessarily evoke in us a strong desire to examine our own home and find out if we are already invaded by this cyber-virus.

Parents should start observing the signs. And if symptoms persist, consult the experts.

* * *

At what time your son or daughter usually returns home at night? Do you know where they hang out? Did you check it out if they were really doing their group project in their classmates’ residence, as they told you?

It is not sowing distrust among parents towards their children. But I think, one of the factors why a lot of young people are addicted to videogames and internet that they abound the net cafés along Ilustre and Duterte streets even up to 4:00 in the morning, is the insufficiency of parental guidance.

For families and parents who have internet connections at home or videogames, how much time do your children spent in front of the computer? Do you keep track if they are really reviewing their lessons at night, or are they just busy chatting or texting their friends? After all, for just 15 or 20 pesos, they can have free texting all day.

* * *

The assistant director of the Multimedia and Communication Laboratory and a professor in Informatics of the University of Navarra, Charo Sádaba, was once interviewed by Mundo Cristiano, a Catholic family magazine on this topic. One question was: “what attracts young people into electronics? Is it true that young people today are radically different from those of some few years ago?”

“There are various motives that could explain such attraction,” she said. “In the first place, these media are interactive, not lineal, and it is something that attracts the youth who feel at ease with a message that is not imposed on them, but something that they have to respond to.

“Besides, these are means of socialization, which is a vital axis in the adolescent stage. And they could reinforce their social connections in a more enjoyable way. Lastly, the youth are aware that the use of modern technology reaffirms the technological gap they have with the adults: in various cases, children know better about technology than their parents at home, and this is very attractive for them.”

* * *

“The principal risk,” according to Sádaba, “is that young people would believe that technology could be a guide to conduct one’s life and forget that it is just an instrument.”

I think, this is something that parents should consider seriously nowadays as they try to comply their already-difficult task of parenting. It is not a matter of creating panic or spreading fear among parents. According to our expert, we could still draw out something good from this phenomenon. Here are some simple tips for parents on how to confront the issue:

(1) Understand the usefulness and the attractiveness of technology on the part of your children. (2) Offer them other equally interesting and educative alternatives as occasions for them to disconnect from electronics: family excursions or games, etc. (3) Take advantage of the positive use of internet when it is done moderately; and (4) Argue not about technology (they know better) but about what is fundamental in life (life’s vital experience and what gives real meaning to life).
All I can say is: “Parents, befriend your children.”

Why afraid of LDPC?

Cogito

Published in Davao Catholic HERALD

April 20, 2008


When the Local Development Plan for Children (LDPC) was approved through a voting of 18-4-2 (YES, NO, abstained, respectively), the immediate reaction of almost every Catholic faithful present in the gallery of the Davao City Council session hall – especially those who understand deeply the implication of the said approval – was of utter fear and disturbance.
Despite the efforts of the main proponent of the plan, Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad assuring the Council that the plan does not promote contraception, every well-informed Catholic is aware that the plan is tainted with “contraceptive flavor” (borrowing the words of Councilor Tessie Mata-Marañon, who strongly opposes the plan).
Councilor Peter Laviña, one who voted NO, said the LDPC “appears innocent at first glance.” However, “a large portion of it deals with reproductive health issues continuously opposed by pro-lifers, family crusaders and the Catholic Church.”
Why afraid of LDPC? The fact that it is under the guise of “reproductive health” and “safe pregnancy” is one good reason to be afraid. But a bigger reason is that our Honorable Councilors are aware of it and they just closed their eyes and raised their hands to say YES to it!

* * *

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in me.”
Jesus’ words in this Sunday’s Gospel were my sole consolation as I walked out the session hall gnawing my tongue in disappointment. My irritation was fueled by the thought that some councilors whom I have voted last elections – to the best of their acting abilities – even made themselves appear to be against the plan. In the end, they were the first and the last to raise their hands.
What is there to be afraid of LDPC? Archbishop Capalla said it denigrates the virtue of chastity. I think he has a point. For even its proponent affirmed during the session: “We did not touch the issue on chastity (during the formulation of the principles), as it may not be sensitive to everybody.”
Well, to have a city councilor who is the head of the committee on women and children to say that is one big reason enough to “let our hearts be troubled”. I, for one, am disturbed by the idea that the issue on chastity “may not be sensitive to everybody”. To whom should this issue be sensitive? To the Church alone? To the parents alone?
The issue on chastity and how this virtue should be taught to our young is everybody’s concern. If the LDPC has to be integral and authentic, it has to consider teaching our children and youth the said virtue. Chastity-based education is what our children need, rather than education on the use of contraceptives.

* * *

“Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Thomas asked Jesus.
How can we know the way towards the authentic and integral development of our children in Davao City? I don’t think this was the prevailing spirit last Tuesday in the session hall.
True. Councilor Mahipus had raised concern about the second Pastoral Statement of Archbishop Capalla but only to let Councilor Librado-Trinidad answer each of the five objections of the archbishop in a literal manner, by saying that “the objections are nowhere to be found explicitly in the plan”.
But then, when Councilor Marañon wished to present as an amendment the separation or the rejection of the “contraceptive flavor” from the plan, almost everyone was groping for a way out. And the house rules are the most convenient way.

* * *

Jesus answered: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”
Jesus offers us “the Way, the Truth and the Life”. Yet, instead of admitting to ourselves that “we do not know the way; how can we know the way?” we look for our own way, we create our own truth and we make a living out of it.
The way to real and authentic children development is when they are taught the truth about themselves. For only in that truth can they live a life to the full.
But how could we educate these children on the truth about themselves if by giving them “full access to affordable services and accurate information that will promote safe pregnancies and produce and nurture healthy babies” (LDPC, Chap 2, sec. b), we are actually reinforcing in them the fallacy that their sexual urges cannot be controlled.
In giving them “full access to affordable services and accurate information” regarding contraceptives, we are actually telling our children that you cannot control yourselves; hence, use condoms and pills. And still we ask: Why afraid of LDPC?
Well, in the end, there’s nothing to be afraid of LDPC. For as the Good Book says, “People may plan all kinds of things but the Lord’s will is going to be done” (Proverbs 19:21).