F.O.O.D. (Fear of Online Disconnection)

Does the alarm with the warning sign “Your battery is running low” bring you on your feet at the split of a second?

Does the appearance of the Chrome dinosaur on your browser bring you to a mode of panic? This very simple old fashioned game comes with the note that you have “No internet”. In one way this old fashioned game helps you relax until you get connected again. But it also tells you that you might still be in the “dinosaur age” of digital connectivity.

The CoVid-19 pandemic has hastened the development of technology and literally forced the older generation to learn how to use the computer and make connections through the internet. While this is really something that we are thankful for, however, it has caused most people to be over-dependent on technology – specifically the internet.

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the need for internet connectivity can now be part of the basic needs in Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. With this, I would say that a new kind of fear has emerged and that is the Fear of Online Disconnection (F.O.O.D.)

More than a week ago, PLDT, one of the main internet providers in the country released an advisory that they will undergo a 5-day emergency maintenance of their cable system. Even with their assurance of continued internet connection, it did arouse panic among people in the education and business sectors.

As part of the academe, our most important requirement for the teachers is their internet connectivity. They can basically work anywhere to keep them safe, but – they have to make sure that they have a good internet connection.

For the young people who are into online gaming, the only time that we can see them for a longer period is when there is no internet connection.

For those starting to depend on online transactions and communications, like myself, has developed the habit of bringing our mobile phones anywhere we go, it has become a part of our “body” or to keep our laptops on for almost 24 hours to make sure we don’t miss an e-mail or a chat.

This fear of online disconnection has become very stressful mentally and emotionally and the only antidote is to intentionally disconnect from the “world” and connect to God, take a rest and enjoy His creation.

In Matthew 8:18 and Mark 6:31, Jesus intentionally took time off and withdrew from the crowd to take some rest. Take note, he did not “go away” by himself but he actually ordered his disciples to go with him. So whether we are a boss or a co-employee, let’s encourage each other to take time off to rest.

As a conclusion, let me share some tips on how not to panic when:

You see a notice of low battery on your laptop.

FIRST, make sure that you have the power cord and the outlet within your reach.

SECOND, click “save” every time you finish small chunks of work.

THIRD, if you lost your work assure yourself that you can do a better one when you do it again.

You see Chrome Dino or a No internet sign

FIRST, have a back up “data” load on your phone just to make sure you can finish important transactions.

SECOND, remember that it is not a life and death situation. They can wait or they just have to wait.

THIRD, if you get disconnected from a video meeting, you can ask for a minutes of the meeting or a recording of the online meeting. If you can’t get them, ask your colleagues for important information.

FOURTH, it’s ok to lose some opportunities, it’s an opportunity to find a better one.

Remember, we need rest because we are humans not robots. The only time we need to panic is when we start to lose our connection with our Creator.

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Matthew 8:18 New International Version

18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.

Mark 6:31 New International Version

31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”