Mom’s Viral Appeal Shows Why Parents Should Put Their Phones Down

(Facebook)

A young mother from Lakeside, California, decided to conduct an experiment to determine the role of technology in the household.

Brandie Wood shared a Facebook post about her observations while watching her 2-year-old twin sons play.

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“As I sat quietly in the corner of the room I tallied how many times they looked at me for various reasons: to see if I saw their cool tricks, to seek approval or disapproval for what they were doing, and to watch my reactions,” she said. “I couldn’t help but wonder if I was on some sort of technology what message would I have been sending?”

In the photo, she made 28 tallies, explaining that her sons look to her for inspiration and realized how important it is for parents to lead future generations by way of their actions and setting an example.

If she had been on her phone each of those 28 times, she imagined her boys, named Blaine and Rylie, might have “wondered if the World Wide Web was more important than them.”

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“28 times my boys would have not received the attention most adults are searching for,” she added. “28 times my loves would have questioned if they were alone emotionally. 28 times my kids would have been reassured that who you are online is what really matters.”

“In a world where we are accepted as who people perceive us to be and not who we really are, in a world where validation comes from how many followers or likes we have, in a world where quality time with loved ones is being replaced by isolation and text messages from the other room, I beg you to be different.”

She concluded her post with a message to other parents.

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“Please put down your technology and spend some time with your family and loved ones,” she wrote. “The next generation of children is counting on us to teach them how to be adults, don’t be too busy on social media, you never know who is watching and what message you are sending.”

Speaking with the Huffington Post, Wood said she believes there should be “a healthy balance” with technology, without elaborating.

“Technology is a double-edged sword. It helps and hinders. Everyone should find what works for them. Just being aware will help tremendously. I am guilty of being connected to my phone as well. This experience has completely humbled me to be more present,” Wood added.