Interview with Deborah Hutton

Recently, Deborah Hutton and I were interviewed on the Today show. If you missed this you can view the video here.

We talked about technology and its effect on our lives, with many people now feeling stressed because they can’t disconnect or “turn off” from their technology. There are many simple ways that you can save yourself time using technology and also reduce some of the stress of feeling constantly on alert for that next email, text or social media update.

Some of my immediate tips include putting your phone in airplane mode at night so that the beeping of messages or the vibration (which even in silent mode can still be heard) don’t disturb your vital rest. Another idea is to leave your mobile phone in your handbag in the back seat of your car – this removes the temptation to answer a call or text while driving. You can still answer your call but you are forced to pull over so at least you are driving safely and not risking fines and demerit points.

Microsoft recently published a paper called Life on Demand: How technology is transforming daily life which looks at some of the ways technology has changed how we live. Through these blog entries I will aim to share with you my thoughts on some of the issues and risks this report raises. I’ll be looking at ways you can guard against technology becoming your master rather than fulfilling its intended purpose which is for us to manage the technology as an effective tool.