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No.182 オリジナル英文

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Handheld Communication Gadgets Can Be Addictive
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Sushil Bansal, a father of two, runs a company in Washington, DC. Thanks to technology, he can take care of much of his business while spending time with his daughters Antara and Saranga. The broadband service on his smart phone keeps him connected with his office and that is how he is able to manage most of his work with the help of his laptop. "These gadgets help me stay connected with my business even though I am outside the office.”

These gadgets are useful for Bansal in juggling his work and family time, but daughter Antara does not like sharing her dad with his gadgets. "Bad and left out."

Her reaction is not unusual. A study by Rutgers University in New Jersey finds that as technology makes work more accessible, the Blackberry and other gadgets are fueling a rise in e-mail and Internet addiction that is in some cases as difficult to kick as a drug habit.

Roger Rubin, Professor of Family Studies at the University of Maryland, says excessive use of these devices can negatively affect your family life. "The price that children pay, essentially, is emotional neglect and sometimes even physical neglect because nobody is there to embrace you, to wipe away your tears when you are crying because they are busy on a computer, they are busy with their Blackberry, they are busy and totally consumed with their career or work."

Jeff Buhl and Heather Acord both like to stay on top of technology and say their Blackberries are essential. Buhl admits that he has been caught e-mailing at inappropriate times. "I am sure you have been to the family function when it stopped being fun, and so that might be inappropriate time to maybe check your e-mail or to respond to that message that you got yesterday. Yes, I'll do that."

Rubin says that using your Blackberry at the dinner table, during vacations and when spending time with children are alarming signs. Like any addiction, experts believe the user has a choice: access to the office 24 hours a day, or spending quality time with your family.

Jim Bertel, VOA News.
by danueno | 2007-02-21 15:57 | オリジナル英文


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