An article from a college newspaper posed an intriguing question. The question was. “Has technology made cheating a social norm?” I’m not sure if technology has made cheating the norm, but it has made infidelity easier.
The question started me thinking about how technology has changed society and impacted your relationships. First, technology has changed how we interact with each other.
Even the new iPhone ads convey the truths of how important your phone to us. These smart phones are changing the relationships with those closest to you. The many specialized apps for smart phones make creating a ‘secret world’ easier.
There’s apps that hide other apps. Apps that create secret files, apps that self-destruct photos and files like something in Mission Impossible. It makes the James Bond lifestyle possible.
There’s something about a secret world that makes cheating more tolerable for many people. The author sees this as a by-product of technology. I view the issue as a ‘human nature’ nature problem.
When you follow human nature, the assumption is made that no one is watching so no one will be any wiser regarding your actions. When your morality is based on who finds out instead of what is right and wrong, then when opportunity appears, cheating happens.
Base human nature lives by the standard that morals only exists when they are on public display. Morals are talked about rather than lived out.
Technology has enhanced the ability to sneak and hide, which if you have the willingness to cheat, makes affairs possible. That ability to hide gives cheater an opportunity to live out their secret lives. Technology has made sneaking around more accessible.
As part of human nature, potential cheaters only look at short term gains rather than long term effects. I see this as part of a maturity factor. It takes time and discipline to consider long term effects of your choices.
Technology without morality is dangerous. When technology is used within a moral framework, I don’t see it filled with destructive dangers.
Technology makes access to others and to destructive influences much easier.
If you’ve have mishandled technology regarding affairs, there’s hope. In the video “Help for the Cheater, starting the Road to Recovery” you can learn what initial steps are needed in turning your situation around.
Keeping It Real,
Jeff
