Collegians suffer from tech fatigue

Updated on: Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Rahul wakes up at nine thanks to his new iPhone alarm. Getting ready takes on a whole new meaning with MP3 peppy jingles blaring out at full volume.

A few rounds on Playstation or Wii in the bus and he is at the college campus. “I can’t ever think of a day without technology in my life! It would be like Tom Hanks in Castaway,” winks Rahul Menon, a young collegian from Kochi.

“To be updated about what is in vogue in the tech world is no longer a hobby it’s become a necessity. But I am afraid, this over-indulgence in technological applications has cut me away from life,” he concedes.

As many such Rahuls make similar confessions, a new syndrome amongst the youngsters of today comes to light — their utter dependence on technology in any form, be it via the cell phone or the Internet.

This has resulted in youngsters becoming so addicted to technology that abstaining from it creates a feeling of insecurity and restlessness in them. “A no-technology day should be a good idea,” exclaims Parvathy Nair from Kochi. She adds, “Refraining from every form of technology would perhaps convince us that we were much closer to life at a time when simpler substitutes made us self-dependent. To be frank, I don’t pay attention to my classes too much as I am sure that even if I bunk all my classes, the notes are just a click away!”

Fathima Shan, a communication student at the University of Kerala, also campaigns for a no-technology day which according to her should be soon enforced across all campuses in Kerala. “Staying away from my mobile phone is like slashing my basic tool of communication.

But I really want to get away from this feeling of addiction and hence it is imperative that the college authorities realise the growing fear of the youth in this regard and advocate a measure that will gradually cure this disorder rather than forcefully threaten us not to use it,” she explains.

Gautham Gopalakrishnan, a student from Palakkad who has now completed his higher studies in Singapore is sad that cell phones and the use of technology are being curtailed in campuses in Kerala.

“It is true that a no-technology day would mean spending more time with our friends and family. But campuses being homes of education should encourage students to turn more to technology rather than trying to bar it. After all it is the door to the world of infinite information.

I believe that practical knowledge is the biggest asset of a student and that is possible only in two ways; either with hands-on experience, which will take many years, or the use of technology. Hence, let us campaign for a judicious tech revolution in campuses rather than a no-technology day,” he says.

Collegians suffer from tech fatigue

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