As parents and educators, many of us are aware of and concerned about the risks of social technology. Cyberbullying, sexting, privacy violations — these are all topics we cover frequently here at bNetS@vvy, topics that concern the safety and well-being of children.
But a recent New York Times article focuses on a social technology danger that affects adults and children, a risk so obvious that we don’t really think it: walking while talking or texting on a mobile device. According to the article, “The era of the mobile gadget is making mobility that much more perilous, particularly on crowded streets and in downtown areas where multiple multitaskers veer and swerve and walk to the beat of their own devices.”
Injuries from distracted walking are on the rise, says the Times, and young people in particular are most at risk. So give the article a read, make a mental note to add “distracted walking” to your list of potential social tech hazards, and make sure your child knows to put the mobile device away before walking (remind yourself as well).
Today’s cybersafety rule: look both ways — and put the mobile down — before crossing the street.
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