When cell phones were first invented, their singular purpose was to allow verbal communication between two people. Now, it is more fitting to classify cell phones as “mobile devices,” rather than telephones, because of their major use as multimedia tools. Over the years, cell phones have acquired a number of additional features, including text messaging, pictures, videos, e-mail, games, movies, and even mobile banking, all of which can be accessed remotely. With essentially everything we need available to us on our handheld devices, our society has become obsessed with continuously looking down at our phones. Constant cell phone use can lead to not being “present” for important moments, disconnection in our personal relationships, and even impact our safety. Therefore it is essential that, from time to time, we put down our cell phones so that we can get the most out of all our experiences and relations with others.
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In today’s society, it often seems that it is more important to have been somewhere and post about it, than it is to actually be somewhere and experience the moment. Whether at a concert, a fancy dinner, or enjoying a beautiful view, almost everyone has witnessed people taking out their phones in an attempt to capture these moments. Instead of simply sitting back and enjoying what is going on around us, it has become a necessity to record and get picture proof of all the significant events that take place in our lives. Not only is this habit distracting for the people trying to appreciate what is going on around them, it also cheapens the moment for the person taking the picture or video. Being overly concerned with trying to document a perfect moment can negatively influence the current experience. While we may be physically present, our attention is elsewhere and we often miss out on all the special moments taking place around us.
I Forgot My Phone, a short film on YouTube, has recently received over 20 million views. In this video, the author, Charlene deGuzman, depicts a number of different social events in which everyone is completely absorbed by their cell phones instead of the big event going on around him or her. In one scene, the woman watches a man propose to his girlfriend while he makes sure to take out his phone and record this whole life-changing event. In another scene, the woman is at a concert and is barely able to see the show because of all the people in front of her with their phones up, filming, taking pictures, and posting things to their social media accounts. In the very last scene, the woman is at a birthday party and the birthday boy is too preoccupied by taking selfies to even notice when it is his time to blow out the candles. In all of these scenes, the woman witnesses others trying to record life’s precious moments, instead of enjoying the real life experience. Because the woman in the video is the only one in the group without their cell phone, the viewer can also clearly see the negative impact others’ obsessive cell phone use can have on those around them. Not being completely present not only takes away from our experiences, but also impacts the experiences of those around us.
This obsession with taking out our phones is not just limited to big events. Everyone has witnessed that family or group of friends at a restaurant where everyone is sitting around the table looking down at their phones. This constant cell phone use can easily disconnect us from our loved ones. When everyone is preoccupied by checking emails or by what is happening on their Twitter feed, it is hard to really engage in conversations and connect with people in the real world. For those in the relationship trying to connect, it is often perceived as very rude and hurtful when those around them are paying more attention to their phones. When a conversation, meal, or romantic moment is disrupted by a call, text, or email, it gives the message that the phone is more important than the person. A new study from Brigham Young University assessed how technology interferes with relationships. The study included 143 women in serious relationships. The majority of these women reported that phones, computers, and other devices were significantly disruptive in their relationships and family lives. Another study published in The International Journal of Neuropsychotherapy concluded that when one person in a relationship uses technology more than the other, it makes the other person feel ignored and insecure. This study also showed that when one or both people in a couple overuses their cell phones, it is likely to undermine the relationship and lead to disconnection. Although our cell phones allow us to stay in touch with loved ones when they aren’t physically present, it can also distract us from the people who we are actually with and take away from these relationships.
Besides impacting significant events and relationships in our lives, overuse of cell phones has also proven to be dangerous. Security footage from a crowded San Francisco commuter train showed a gunman take out a pistol, clearly raise it and point it across the isle, and then wave the weapon around the train. Several moments later, the gunman choses a random victim and shoots him in the back of the head. The video shows a large number of people on this train within close proximity to the shooter, but nobody notices him and his clear intention to harm someone. Everyone on the train is totally engrossed in their electronic devices and completely oblivious to their surroundings. It is sad to think that the outcome of this event could have been avoided if someone on the train was paying attention.
Although this may be an extreme example of what can happen when we are overly immersed in our cell phones, there are many other everyday examples of how constant cell phone use can impact our safety. Within the past five years, there has been a significant increase in cell phone related deaths. The dangers of texting and driving have been well documented. An estimated 23% of automobile collisions involved cell phones and 18% of all vehicular deaths have been caused by texting and driving. However, it is arguable that texting while walking may be even more dangerous. Research at Stony Brook University has shown that being distracted by a cell phone makes a person sixty percent more likely to walk in the wrong direction. This study also found that forty percent of teenagers report that they have been struck by a car while walking. These same teens reported that they had not just been texting, but surfing the Internet, talking on their phone, or simply listening to music. Whether walking or driving, being on our phones disconnects us from our surroundings and simply gives us more opportunities to not look where we are going, which can put us in serious danger.
The average cell phone user will spend a total of four years of their life staring at their phone. Image how much more we could accomplish if we had even half of that amount of time back. This statistic does not have to be your reality. There are a number of different ways in which we can cut back on cell phone use. Instead of just texting someone, call them or set up a face-to-face meeting to catch up. Set aside one night a week where everyone in your family or friend group turns off all of their electronic devices and does an activity together. Designate one room in your home as a “technology-free zone.” Be aware of the times when you turn to your phone the most and try to instead be content with observing and appreciating your surroundings. It is important that we find a balance in our lives and take the time to look up from our phones so that our relationships and overall well-being does not suffer. There are so many amazing things going on around us, so put down your phone, be aware, be present, and experience all that life has to offer.
I Forgot My Phone, a short film on YouTube, has recently received over 20 million views. In this video, the author, Charlene deGuzman, depicts a number of different social events in which everyone is completely absorbed by their cell phones instead of the big event going on around him or her. In one scene, the woman watches a man propose to his girlfriend while he makes sure to take out his phone and record this whole life-changing event. In another scene, the woman is at a concert and is barely able to see the show because of all the people in front of her with their phones up, filming, taking pictures, and posting things to their social media accounts. In the very last scene, the woman is at a birthday party and the birthday boy is too preoccupied by taking selfies to even notice when it is his time to blow out the candles. In all of these scenes, the woman witnesses others trying to record life’s precious moments, instead of enjoying the real life experience. Because the woman in the video is the only one in the group without their cell phone, the viewer can also clearly see the negative impact others’ obsessive cell phone use can have on those around them. Not being completely present not only takes away from our experiences, but also impacts the experiences of those around us.
This obsession with taking out our phones is not just limited to big events. Everyone has witnessed that family or group of friends at a restaurant where everyone is sitting around the table looking down at their phones. This constant cell phone use can easily disconnect us from our loved ones. When everyone is preoccupied by checking emails or by what is happening on their Twitter feed, it is hard to really engage in conversations and connect with people in the real world. For those in the relationship trying to connect, it is often perceived as very rude and hurtful when those around them are paying more attention to their phones. When a conversation, meal, or romantic moment is disrupted by a call, text, or email, it gives the message that the phone is more important than the person. A new study from Brigham Young University assessed how technology interferes with relationships. The study included 143 women in serious relationships. The majority of these women reported that phones, computers, and other devices were significantly disruptive in their relationships and family lives. Another study published in The International Journal of Neuropsychotherapy concluded that when one person in a relationship uses technology more than the other, it makes the other person feel ignored and insecure. This study also showed that when one or both people in a couple overuses their cell phones, it is likely to undermine the relationship and lead to disconnection. Although our cell phones allow us to stay in touch with loved ones when they aren’t physically present, it can also distract us from the people who we are actually with and take away from these relationships.
Besides impacting significant events and relationships in our lives, overuse of cell phones has also proven to be dangerous. Security footage from a crowded San Francisco commuter train showed a gunman take out a pistol, clearly raise it and point it across the isle, and then wave the weapon around the train. Several moments later, the gunman choses a random victim and shoots him in the back of the head. The video shows a large number of people on this train within close proximity to the shooter, but nobody notices him and his clear intention to harm someone. Everyone on the train is totally engrossed in their electronic devices and completely oblivious to their surroundings. It is sad to think that the outcome of this event could have been avoided if someone on the train was paying attention.
Although this may be an extreme example of what can happen when we are overly immersed in our cell phones, there are many other everyday examples of how constant cell phone use can impact our safety. Within the past five years, there has been a significant increase in cell phone related deaths. The dangers of texting and driving have been well documented. An estimated 23% of automobile collisions involved cell phones and 18% of all vehicular deaths have been caused by texting and driving. However, it is arguable that texting while walking may be even more dangerous. Research at Stony Brook University has shown that being distracted by a cell phone makes a person sixty percent more likely to walk in the wrong direction. This study also found that forty percent of teenagers report that they have been struck by a car while walking. These same teens reported that they had not just been texting, but surfing the Internet, talking on their phone, or simply listening to music. Whether walking or driving, being on our phones disconnects us from our surroundings and simply gives us more opportunities to not look where we are going, which can put us in serious danger.
The average cell phone user will spend a total of four years of their life staring at their phone. Image how much more we could accomplish if we had even half of that amount of time back. This statistic does not have to be your reality. There are a number of different ways in which we can cut back on cell phone use. Instead of just texting someone, call them or set up a face-to-face meeting to catch up. Set aside one night a week where everyone in your family or friend group turns off all of their electronic devices and does an activity together. Designate one room in your home as a “technology-free zone.” Be aware of the times when you turn to your phone the most and try to instead be content with observing and appreciating your surroundings. It is important that we find a balance in our lives and take the time to look up from our phones so that our relationships and overall well-being does not suffer. There are so many amazing things going on around us, so put down your phone, be aware, be present, and experience all that life has to offer.