OPINION: Distractions in a digital society

In my last letter, I voiced my opinion that parents and teachers need to become more familiar with the pitfalls of digital devices in the hands of students. I stated that, in many cases, having a smartphone results in reduced creativity, concentration, and lowered communication skills (the 3 C’s). In my opinion, one way that we can arm ourselves for the way technology “bites back” is to update our digital vocabulary. I believe that one should begin with the terms: multi-tasking, uni-tasking, shift-tasking, and flow/engagement.

It is important to clarify the term multi-tasking. Humans have been multi-tasking since ancient times. Multi-tasking occurs when a person balances a number of different tasks in order to accomplish a singular productive goal such as cooking a meal. “Shift-tasking” occurs when a person switches from one task to another unrelated task, and then returns to the original and has to refocus. This is what occurs when students (or adults) text in school or at work. Shift-tasking causes a great deal of burden to the brain.  

See for yourself: Count to 10 as fast as you can (this should take about 1.5 seconds); now recite the alphabet from A-J as fast as you can (this also will take about 1.5 seconds). If there were no burden when shift-tasking, you should be able to alternate the alphabet and the numbers in sequence in about three seconds ... let’s try.

Recite 1- A, 2-B, etc., up to 10-J. Unless you are exceptional, this will take much longer than 3 seconds. Although a smartphone only weighs a few ounces, today’s students are carrying what I would describe as a wagon full of rocks tied to their brain.

Finally, look at the definition of uni-tasking. Uni-tasking is the ability to focus on one thing until it is done.  When uni-tasking we can experience “flow,” which is considered a great source of human happiness. These are the times that you were so engaged in a project that you forget what time it was or even forget to eat. You may have heard of being “in the zone.” Flow or the zone is what performers, athletes, artists and professionals of all kinds know as peak experience.

Here is the concern, and it is a big one — “use-it-or lose-it.” When we constantly engage in switch-tasking, and never practice uni-tasking, our ability to uni-task becomes weakened, and we may never experience flow. Our ability to concentrate and be engaged is weakened.

This issue of digital distraction is so serious that there is a movement in New York called “No Text Weekend.” The goal of No Text Weekend is to challenge people to talk instead of text for two days. I would encourage our schools and community to give it a try. More information can be found at http://www.notextweekend.com

I believe It is part of our responsibility to understand these issues, and to talk about them with others. The weakening of concentration and flow is only one of several hurdles that people today face by becoming preoccupied with, and bringing portable distraction devices to school or work. Other digital issues include sleep disturbance, addiction, depression and anxiety, neck problems, and germs on the devices.

Eckels, of Kalispell, is a teacher at Flathead High School.