Can putting away the phones be a bad thing?
As we have entered the new year things seem to change for instance the way we dress, our eating habits, our perspective on things, even the group of people we call our friends. But, when it comes to the usage of our handy dandy smart phones it seems that it is even a greater issue now. Through out the years the usage of smart phones has gravely impacted each of our lives and not in a good sense either. It is set to believe that our devices would revolutionize this world. It said how it would solve many issues and it has indeed been beneficial but, it has as well created new issues that many people are not aware of it because they have fallen slave to the device. For instance feeling anxious to to reach to your pocket to take out your smart phone each time, Impact in our social skills, or not being fully present at the moment where it counts.
Sandee Lamotee who works for CNN published an article “smartphone addiction can be changing your brain”. In her article she argues about the negative impact on smartphone usage. Lamotee states states that “Millennials are the worst offenders”. that’s because she talks about how millennials are using there phones while operating vehicles. She adds “according to pew. Fifty-nine percent of people between the ages of 18 and 33 have been reported to texting while driving”.
It is not just texting while driving Lamotee states that smart phones is affecting our social skills as well. Ask yourself this how many times have you experienced having a conversation with your friends or family and occasionally in the middle of the conversation your friends or family reach down into their pockets to take out their devices and start scrolling? or maybe even when the conversation has ended without you finishing what you wanted to say and everyone is scrolling down there phones and yes this means even you too. Well, Dr. Twenge states that “Many teens do not go out and hang with their friends as much as before”. In Dr. Twenges book “IGEN” it provides a chart of the percentage drop of face to face interaction between teens and their friends throughout the year. Lets just say that the numbers are horrific.
Viewing the article and looking at the statistics it is save to say that there is an agreement with Jean Lamotee. From experience I have witnessed myself what she is arguing. Can not remember the last time sitting down and having a full fledged conversation with my own family because majority of the time everyone is going around updating their status or giving someone a like; It is quite frustrating actually. There is a simple solution to actually make things a bit better. I do Advice you when spending quality time with the family or friends to set your phones aside so everyone will have each others complete undivided attention. If you are not sold in the idea because you are waiting for a text back from your boo just text them let them know that you will not have your phone with your because you are about to spend time with your family or friends. It is the same concept when it comes to operating a vehicle. So many lives can be spared including your own. Doing this for just an hour can make difference but it all starts with taking the initiative.
Abovetheclouds 