Disconnection: it's every executive's worst nightmare. Yet this is exactly what happened last week at theme park and resort, Alton Towers where there was a ban of PDAs and smartphones to coincide with the half-term break.
From 25 May to 1 June, the word ‘blackberry’ would have only been used when ordering a smoothie, and opening ‘Windows’, when drawing back curtains in a magic castle. If this PDA-free trial period is deemed successful, the resort may implement it as full-time policy.
"Why on earth would they do something so cruel?" ask people reading this in a long-sleeved, herringbone weave shirt with shiny cufflinks. Well the park is trying to encourage parents to leave work at work (at the very least, anywhere but a theme park) and to not just physically spend time with their kids, but to be mentally present as well.
No more of this scenario:
"Daddy, daddy look at this ice cream I have!"
(On PDA) "That's great, if we could move the meeting to Tuesday I'll be in at 7:00am for it"
"It's free daddy! I found it on the ground next to some ducks."
"Ok, see you on Tuesday with the proposal." (Hangs up)
"I've already eaten half."
"Hey ice cream! Can I have a bite?"
Obviously there will be benefits to this new policy, but is the park going too far in trying to regulate people for their own good? Personally I think it's a nice idea to ask people to turn off their PDAs while in the park, but actually having "PDA Drop Off Zones" for people to leave their device for the duration of their visit, does seem a bit over the top.
Alton Towers staff have been strolling the grounds to enforce this new policy, so unless people have been ultra-discreet, they won't have gotten away with "just checking-in".
People who have been caught red-handed with their stylus have not been ejected or banned from the resort, but instead were strongly encouraged to turn off their device and focus on their families.
Isn't there enough parenting going on at a theme park without the parents being told off? I think Alton Towers' push for parents to actually spend time with their kids (that does mean actually engaging with them- not just having them in the car seat next to you while you conduct a meeting on hands-free) is great. Trying to physically ban the PDA though, is pushing the wrong button.
What do you think: ban the PDA or use gentle encouragement? Share it on out Gaj-it forum or leave us a comment.
3 thoughts on “PDA Ban at Alton Towers”
I think it’s a bit harsh and could be unduly embarrassing, telling people to stop using them in front of their children. Besides don’t blame the technology – if someone uses a PDA just once for 30 seconds to quickly check something is it really that bad? There’s plenty of ways of being an inattentive parent without a PDA getting involved.
I agree- it is really embarrassing. Imagine getting told off in front of your kids for simply using your PDA.
Technology does take the blame for a lot of things, but it’s up to the user to be responsible- not the device.
I just think this is hillarious, lets have a ban at a cyber cafe next. I always see kids in there