There is a new diagnosis which I would like to name. It is being described in honor of my son Bob ( note: the name has been changed to protect my son, Josh’s identity).
It is called the iPod touch withdrawal syndrome. However, realize that it can occur with just about any other handheld electronic device which prevents a child or adult from “being able to live comfortably” in their environment.
While I have not personally seen this occur with Blackberry or Androids, I have heard cases of such madness occurring.
When one loses their electronic gadget privileges, there is usually an irrational fear associated with not being able to update one’s facebook status or not being able to view the whereabouts of friends and family in real time. There may even be some doodle jump withdrawal symptoms (more about this game later)
“What if someone comments on my post, I will not know about it for over 12 hours”, the victim may claim.
Abrupt withdrawal usually results in comments such as,
“What am I supposed to do?”..
“Oh my god! that is not fair”,
or perhaps even,
“How am I supposed to wake up in the morning- that is my alarm clock. I may oversleep, miss my test, get a bad grade which will hurt my chances for college and I will probably be homeless and it will be all your fault”- the unenlightened youth may retort.
The loving parent or the concerned friend will bravely intervene and attempt to reassure the distressed individual that they will be ok without their electronic device for one night.
“It will only be one night”,
the concerned person will tell the ipod/droid addict.
Despite many attempts to change the overseer’s mind, the gadget-0-penic (one who lacks their gadget) will attempt to rationalize how they can not go even a few hours without device.
Excuses may include,
“You can’t take it, I bought it with my own money”
or possibly,
“This is my only form of communication and my cell phone is retarded (or mentally challenged for those who desire political correctness)”
There may even be an attempt to barter…
“Dad, I will give you my cell phone and you can sell it on Ebay”… the “underprivileged” youth tells his parent.
In either care, those of us who grew up needing to have a dime or quarter in our pocket at all times in case of an emergency will clearly have little concern for the pre-teens of today and their iPod withdrawal symptoms.
Fortunately, it is just for one night! However if the grades don’t live up to his abilities, then the absence of such device may be even longer…
Now son, before you go to bed, tell your sister to give me my iPad back so I can check ESPN and give me back my Amazon kindle charger so I can be prepared for tomorrow, and finish reading my book!
Good night my son!
Love,
Dad
