by Shannon Johnson
The recent YouTube viral sensation ‘Look Up’ is the inspiration for this piece and if you haven't already seen it, I strongly urge you to. The videos message is a harrowing and much needed reminder to everyone the negative impact of a world that thrives and functions off technology.
Now, as tech-savvy teenager of the 21st century, I am all too guilty of spending every minute of the day either on my smartphone, tablet or laptop, favouring social networking sites over face-to-face conversations. But after watching this video, it made me consider the extent to which people rely on technology.
A quick glimpse at my college café verified my concerns, and saddened me to see on every table, people with their heads down, eyes glued to a screen, not content with each other's company. It made me realise that every second spent staring at that screen was second of letting the world go by. I wonder how many laughs, stories, and new memories that could have been shared if everybody just switched their phone off for just a moment. So, I've decided to set myself a challenge. I'm going to spend 30 days social network free...
I'm not going to lie, it's going to be tough, but I'm ready for the exciting opportunities that I might have normally missed. I'll let you guys know how I got on next time. But for now, wish me luck and remember to 'Look Up.'