Tag Archives: media

Media Addiction and Young Adults – An article from the Washington Post

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I read this article this past week, and I wanted to share it to my readers.  Should technology be treated as other addictions?  I do believe that it is a topic worthy of discussion.  Media and technology is definitely an escape from reality that is abused by many people.  Enjoy!            -David

FALL CITY, WASH. — It was group discussion time at reSTART, a woodsy rehabilitation center about 30 miles outside Seattle. Four residents sat around the living room and talked about their struggles with addiction, anxiously drumming their fingers on their legs and fidgeting with their shoelaces. One young man described dropping out of college to seek treatment for the crippling problem that brought them all here: compulsive Internet use.

You can read the entire article here!

Here are some interesting tidbits from the article.

  • 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. Meanwhile, 50 percent of teenagers feel the same way. The study surveyed nearly 1,300 parents and children this year.
  • In the United States, there is no definition of Internet addiction. It is not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which sets the official standards for disorders in the United States. A draft definition covering video-game addiction is included in an appendix for further research review, but there is no entry for general tech use.
  • Other countries, however, do officially recognize some forms of Internet addiction as serious conditions. In South Korea, Internet addiction has a formal definition; there, students are diagnosed and sent to government treatment centers.
Hayley Tsukayama covers consumer technology for The Washington Post.

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The Movie every person should see, but few will stomach.

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Over Thanksgiving weekend, my parents came into town to visit us.  On the first night they were there, my son looked at us and said, “I want private time with Granna and Pops.   You two need to leave. “

What could we say?  So my wife and I made plans to go to a movie the following night.  Thanksgiving weekend is a huge weekend for going to the theatres.  It seemed as if everyone not at the malls was at the theatre.

My wife’s first request would have been to see some Nicholas Sparks movie.  But I am thankful that none are currently out.  I hate crying for no reason.   There were actually no romantic movies out (dodged a bullet on that one).

My first choice would have been “Thor” (for the 2nd time).  My first choice because it is a movie about a Marvel super hero.  My first choice just because it is awesome.   (Can anyone argue with the fact that Tom Hiddleston as Loki is awesome?)   However, when I voiced my opinion, my wife gave me no response.

My wife’s second request was to see some movie called “Catching Fire.”  I am not sure if you have heard of it.  I guess it is a big deal to some.  I surprisingly haven’t seen it, and didn’t want to see the 2nd before I saw the first.  So my wife let me pass.

My second request was non-existent because the Hobbit wasn’t out yet.

My wife then suggested that we go to “12 Years a Slave.”  I knew it might not be tough, but I thought it would be good.

The move is about Solomon Northup, a freed black man from New York who is abducted and sold down south into slavery.  Facing the end of his freedom, Solomon fights for survival and for hope in a dark world.

Why should you see this movie?

The first reason is because it turns slavery from a textbook into a reality.  I don’t want to give away what happens during the film, but I know that you will feel like you are there.   I am not saying it is a good feeling.  There were many times when I felt as I wanted to run, hide.  I covered my eyes.  I covered my ears.  I felt as if I was there, and I could barely handle it.

The movie challenged me to know that I can withstand the circumstances that I am in.  Solomon made choices to cling to hope and his integrity.  He was a great example of living a life of integrity.

The movie challenged me to continue to look for injustice in our world today, and to be a voice for those who have none.

It has a MPAA rating of R due to male and female nudity.  The nudity does not come through a passionate bedroom scene, but through trying to display the reality of the lives of slaves in the south.

I know that many people go to the theater because they want to forget reality, injustice, and the difficulties of life.  I get that, and I often do the same.  The box office numbers reveals this fact.  12 Years a Slave has made about 33.7 million in the box office (and will soon be gone).  Thor 2 has already grossed 188 million.

If you don’t go to the theatre, then rent it.  Whatever you do, you should watch the movie.

There are some issues in life that are hard to address, however, that doesn’t mean we can ignore them.

I believe that watching this movie could make you more understanding, compassionate, and driven to be an instrument for the Kingdom of God.