Can technology bring family closer during the holidays?

Lately it appears as if the modern human is not only dependent on devices but also devoted to them. In a world where smartphones control smart homes, are we losing command over our lives to technology?

The long answer to this question could be: No, not if you are conscious about your actions and know how to draw the line between the real world and the virtual world. The shorter answer would be: Moderation is the key.

Even though it may appear as if both children and adults are missing out on real life experiences that the previous generations enjoyed, the digital world has brought about a convenience that gives us the time and resources to do more and experience more.

The holiday season is a great time for families and friends to come together. It would be unfair not to mention the role technology plays in bringing families together.Here is a list of a few ways technology and family can work positively together in the holiday season.

1. Making travel plans online

It starts from group chats and slowly transcends into synchronizing calendars to booking tickets to be at the right price at the right time. With most travel documents stored in smartphones, the panic of leaving important papers behind is reduced.

2. The joy of cooking

You don’t have to be an excellent chef to make the best meals this holiday season. Some of the rarest and most sought after recipes are easily available online with complete instructions onwhich nearest grocery store has all the ingredients. With voice-activated personal assistants, one doesn’t have to skim thorough pages of instructions with egg-drenched fingers. After all this, if your holiday cooking has a less than desirable outcome, there are apps that provide door delivery of your favorite foods from your favorite restaurants. This way, meal disasters won’t ruin your holiday mood.

3. Family game night

Kings and legends played games to keep themselves entertained. Why stop there? Mix your family members and create teams to play fun games on your phones. Chances are every family has a competitive relative who just can’t leave the arena without a victory. Fortunately there is always some app for the overenthusiastic gamer in the family. Popular games like charades, hangman and the like have online versions. For the more competitive among us there are online games one can play with siblings or cousins who couldn’t join in the fun due to geographical divides.

4. Making and storing photo memories

Apps have made it easy for everyone to take pictures and store them. Don’t forget to back up your data every time you capture memories.

5. Face to face

Not everyone can reunite with loved ones over the holidays. Technology has come very close to the real deal when it comes to meeting face to face, however. With a gamut of apps like Skype and FaceTime and the stellar quality of video they provide, these online reunions can almost be as good as being there.

Make the most of technology this holiday season. Remember it is here to serve us and not the other way around. Know when to use it and when to distance yourself from it.

Also remember to keep your devices backedup and safe from cybercriminals with security you can trust. Norton Security comes with excellent features like protection against viruses and ransomware. It also comes with multi-device protection so that your PCs, Macs, and Android mobile devices are secure.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season.