The changing face of a family outing in a restaurant
by Shona Bass | 21 December 2009 - 4:43pm
12 months ago, whilst working in Sydney i noticed a family of two adults and 3 children at a meal table next to mine one evening. I was shocked to witness all three children, ( all under 10 years) playing with electronic games for the entirety of the meal except for when they actually ate. I assumed this was a once off. How wrong was I!!!! Since then, i have noticed children in restaurants, completely absorbed with electronic games and not speaking, or interacting with or sharing in any aspect of the family meal or conversation. I have noticed adults not speaking to them either.
Is this a new trend? What is the point of a family outing if the family don’t speak to each other???
Comments
What's even worse is it is
What's even worse is it is happening in their own homes as well.
My 13 year old nephew barely leaves his room except to stock up on potato chips etc or go to the toilet because he is addicted to online gaming while his 16yr old sister is on Facebook & when she's not in her room she uses her phone to give updates.
My brother has to 'demand' that he sit at the table and eat with visitors & even then he doesn't finish his meal, he doesn't ask to leave the table, he just gets up, puts his half full plate on the bench and goes back to his room to play his game. We have to knock on his bedroom door to say goodbye when we are leaving!
The only time we see him is when the internet has been 'choked' because they have used up all of their download for the month. Two days ago (8th Jan) my brother posted on Facebook that they had used 25gig since Christmas Day!!!!!!
And, the worst part about it is - this is not uncommon in this age group & this is my brothers main argument when I confront him about feeding his children's addictions. He doesnt see it like that. To him it is an outlet not an addiction. But you should see him when he hasn't got it - crazy!
I don't let my little boy go in the room and watch - ever - and apparently I am the one who has 'issues'.
My little boy doesn't understand why his cousin "can't" or wont play with him.
It's very sad & I feel like something should be done at High School Level.
I have grave fears for my nephew & his peers.