While having a cup of coffee in a neighbourhood coffee shop, I observed a family of four in action. The father and mother were each texting and talking on the phone with someone else. The children, one with a PSP while the other with an Iphone, were playing games on their gadgets. Each of them is really not interested if the other party is there. They were engrossed in their own little world. My cup of coffee took a little longer than usual as I was just curious how long that situation will last. For the half an hour that I spent observing them, it did not change. So much for family time!

What really is time together? What are we giving up in the process? Is sitting around but each doing your own things, time together? Will it improve interaction and understanding of each other? I seriously think not. Is such a phenomenon due to our inability to communicate with one another? Or are we just plain lazy to communicate at all? Maybe if the father and son are playing PSP games together, some good may come out of it, just maybe?

Portable Gaming Machines (PSP, Nintendo DS, Iphone, etc..) are DANGEROUS. They allow an addiction to be with you all the time. Going to an arcade, though not the best, is not possible 24/7. You are not able to sit in front of a computer 24/7. But a PGM is a totally different story. It is there when you don’t need it. It is there when other more helpful activities can be held. It is there, 24/7, to take control of your life and slowly take away all that you can ever have. I understand that there are even people playing PGM games during church services.

My dear friends, you draw your own conclusions and make your own choices.

God bless!