Millennials have been the focal point of discussion as Baby Bombers are starting to fade, and the next generation begins taking over in full force. These are the kids that have grown up using some of the greatest technology of the century, surrounded by the geniuses who made it all happen. So why are people not communicating as well as they used to?

Cell phones are one of the biggest factors that are to blame. Kids sit on their phones for hours, aimlessly scrolling through the millions of apps that they have at a touch of a button. This technology has made kids capable of knowing where their friends are at all times, what they are doing in that instant, and can send photos or videos to each other in a blink of an eye. Kids are living through their phones, whether it's watching cat videos or listening to the latest music video from Shawn Mendes. The worst part is that this technology is so cutting-edge, yet almost any kid that has access to a smart phone takes these features for granted.

I can admit that yes, I do scroll aimlessly through Facebook or Pinterest, saving videos of foods I probably will never cook or yoga poses that I will never get around to trying. I catch myself sending Snapchats when I'm out to dinner with my boyfriend, and once I realize this, I put my phone away ashamed that I thought for a second that anyone, in that moment, was more important than him. Now I'm not saying I'm one of the good kids, but many of the kids that are lacking in social skills are the kids that don't think that it is wrong to sit at dinner and Snapchat their best friends what they are eating for lunch. They are the kids that are constantly glued to their phones, never seeing the light of day, except their laptop screen for Netflix.

Chick-Fil-A just implemented a new "Family Challenge" where groups of people sit down in the restaurant and put phones on silent. If no one reaches for their phone or uses it during the meal, Chick-Fil-A will reward you with soft served ice cream. Don't get me wrong, I love free ice cream, but it's the fact that people of all ages need to be rewarded for spending quality time together. Since when is eating as a family or group not a time to enjoy each other's company? Other restaurants are seeing the potential in this campaign, and it sounds like many restaurants will start rewarding families for being a family.

We all fall victim to the temptation of our phones. It is something that brings comfort and communication to people across the world, and even though we may feel like we're more connected than ever, we are more disconnected than anything. People on buses seek refuge to listening to their music, never looking up from the light of a screen. Students in class miss important information because they are scrolling through Instagram filters. Face to face connect is becoming obsolete as people shop online or order take out. We are even becoming disconnected from our families, and it is so sickening to watch. So, next time you are with your friends, family, or significant other, try to make it a habit to put the phone down. Enjoy the little things because before you know it, those times will pass and all you will have left is the stupid video of a goat screaming saved in your Facebook videos.