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Something Extra: Is Hi-tech Hurting Santa?

MIAMI (CBS4) - I'm not sure I'd want to be Santa these days.

As if delivering gifts to millions of kids in twenty four hours weren't tough enough, technology isn't making Santa's life easier; it's making it even more complicated.

As millions of Americans do, my family tracks Santa and his reindeer through NORAD and Google Earth as he makes his trek around the world. It doesn't give the big guy much privacy. It's an ACLU lawsuit waiting to happen.

Like the Pope, Santa is now on Twitter. Tweet him and he'll tweet you back. He's on Facebook and YouTube too. Smartphone apps allow kids to interact with Santa and he's talking to kids via computer on Skype.

Florida's Sandestin resort has even blocked out time with Santa every day so visitors can Skype and speak to St. Nick.

But what happened to visiting Santa, sitting on his lap and telling him what you want for Christmas? Or staying up on Christmas Eve with the faint hope of seeing him? Why write Santa if you can get him on your iPhone? Some post offices are already seeing fewer Dear Santa letters.

Technology is creating some new traditions but destroying some cherished old ones, and to that I say "bah humbug".

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