Social challenge: Smart gadgets bring joy and misery

Less chatter is heard in hospitals and clinic waiting rooms and even in dentist offices. Instead, beeping and typing and phone sounds have replaced the sound of people talking. More young men and women are busy chatting, surfing the Web, and playing games via their smartphones or computer tablets making their wait more bearable.
Users say these devices are carried easily, affordable and contain a variety of applications disconnecting them from their surroundings.
Khader Imam, a PR specialist at a large medical center in Jeddah city, said instant-messaging apps such as WhatsApp are becoming more popular among young men and women.
Doctors and hospital managers feel that patients and their family members are less agitated during what sometimes could be a long wait.
Sultan Thubaiti says that instant messaging applications allow users to send and receive messages in a fast and fun way, in addition to sharing videos and photos.
Thubaiti added that visiting medical center with elders is now less tedious than before as the connection with friends is guaranteed.
“These apps are encouraging social connection between people as they exchange information and greetings through forums,” he explained.
Khaled Al-Bishi, a frequent smartphone user thinks that chatting apps, if used over long periods of time, are negative.
“A person can face social problems such as neglecting family and important issue. These apps are dangerous particularly if used during driving,” Al-Bishi said.
Ezz Al Din Hafeth, a Saudi teacher, said instant chatting is a necessity during times of anxiety or long waiting. Hafeth no longer uses his mobile for calling his friends around the world.
Instead, he uses such apps extensively.
Psychologist Dr. Khaled Abbas says that caution should be exercised when dealing with such technologies.
“The smartphone addiction can negatively affect people’s health, psychology, economic situation and social life,” Abbas advised.
He said children and youth should be aware of the silly immoral, negative behaviors they see as they could become habitual.
Abbas warned that staying up late hurts students’ academic achievements and communication skills.
He called upon parents to monitor their children’s use of these programs.
“These channels, if used properly, are important source of communication, knowledge as well as exchange of information and dialogue.”