Connected, Yet Detached?

In today's world of technology, we are more "connected" than ever, right?  After all, we have email, twitter, facebook, instagram, snapchat, skype, linked in and so forth.  It is easy to feel very connected with all of these means of technology.  BUT, my two questions about this are:

1. WHO are we connected to?

AND

2. Are we more detached than ever as a result?

So, let's dive in here......WHO are we connected to?  I don't know about you, but I do know that when I am on my computer, phone, etc. I am NOT connected with those around me.  That can be my kids, Chad, a friend I'm meeting, etc.  You get the point. When we are CONNECTED we can also be detached.  This is what I see happening with technology more and more.  I remember when my grandpa died, the pastor who did his funereal said that my grandpa noticed people socializing less when certain things happened. There were three, I believe, but I only remember two.  Those two things were the invention of television and the invention of air conditioning.  Before those two conveniences, people used to sit outside, engage and build relationships with one another.  Then, once television and AC came along, people were inside more, and interacting less.  Interesting, isn't it?  I see that happening more and more in today's society with the more technology that keeps getting thrown our way.  We are engaging more with technology and less with each other.  It is sad.  There have been some nights, in all honesty, when Chad and I have both been on the couch, together, looking at our phones.  {We have ended that though, thank you.}  But, who are we connected to?  If we aren't connected with our family and friends, who should be our priorities after God, who are we connected to?  Which is another topic.  {Are we crowding God out because of our techno use?  Some extra food for thought.....}

I think you can kind of see where I am going with the second point here.  So if we are attached to our devices, are we detached from those around us?  I think so.  I think sometimes it is easier to live in a virtual world, than a real one.  In the virtual world, things are almost instant.  No waiting.  When you IM someone, you will likely get a reply right back.  When you message someone on facebook, you can tell if they have read the message or not.  It's easier to keep tabs on people and not have to wait, right?  BUT do we live in a society where we don't have to wait?  Is that what we want?  I don't.  I don't know about you, but I still have to wait at stop lights.  I still have to wait in lines at the grocery store.  I still have to wait on God's timing, not my own.  Are we creating more tension on teaching kids how to wait in this virtual world?  I don't know, just some things I'm pondering lately.  Would love to hear your thoughts on this too, friends.

I'm not saying we should get rid of technology at all, but I think that like anything, having boundaries is key to this.  Teaching our kids how to wait and that life isn't a virtual world is also important.  We need to separate virtual from reality, for them as well as ourselves. Love to hear your insights too, please!