We all know that the communication has evolved over the years however the question that has to be asked is whether families should be replacing gadgets with communicating with one another. Has technology consumed our lives to the point where old fashioned 'chatting' has become a thing of the past? Remember the good old days when families would chat as they eat breakfast together? I used to get yelled at for switching on the television during meal time and now there are families who wouldn't dream of having it any other way.

These days, things are very different. The first thing many people will admit to doing when they wake up is checking their email. After six to eight hours of network deprivation — also known as 'sleep' — people are increasingly waking up and grabbing their mobiles and laptops, sometimes even before swinging their legs to the floor and tending to more biologically urgent activities. Both adults and children have good reasons to wake up and log on. Mum and Dad might need to catch up on e-mail from colleagues or friends in different time zones. Children check text messages and Facebook posts from friends and sometime forget about their chores in the process. Things that were unacceptable a few years ago in most households have become commonplace.

An example of this would be starting the day on four different computers in separate rooms or instead of fighting over the shower, families now tussle over access to the household computer.

These days people sleep with their mobile phones next to their bed so they start the day with text messages in place of alarm clocks. The in-house intercom has been replaced with texting one another because it has proven to be a more effective way of contacting one another.

Internet companies that used to watch traffic levels rise only when people booted up at work now see the uptick much earlier.

Technology has shaken up plenty of life’s routines, but for many people it has completely altered the once predictable rituals at the start of the day. When do we decide to switch off our phones?

Has technology gone too far? Or is it only just the beginning? Email your thoughts here and we'll publish them in future Xposes.