“Put down your phone. You’re missing out on life.”

Those are two sentences millennials hear more often than not from the passing adult who means well whenever they have their smartphone in hand and their eyes stuck on the screen. Usually, those two sentences are left by themselves, without any more elaboration, but recently, criticizing the usage of smartphones and modern culture in general has become so popular it’s an artistic trend.

The invention of the internet has drastically changed life as we know it. Communication is more accessible and open than ever. We have opportunities we never had before. But, with anything that exists, there are pros and cons, and for technology, older generations (and a few millennials) only focus on negative scenarios to shame millennials and our dependence on technology, and never allow us a chance to defend ourselves.

It’s a natural assumption that whatever a person is doing on their phone or electronic device could not be of any importance. They’re shopping, or they’re playing a game, or they’re texting someone who they’ll stop talking to in a year or two. Whatever it is, they’re definitely putting off something that is more worth the time. “Put down your phone” is a direct order to put it away and keep it away, no questions asked. However, the same people giving that order don’t take the time to inquire what someone is doing on their phone in the first place.

If they would ask, maybe they would understand that I do pay attention to the world, and that I might be using my phone in public because being around different places and people often serves as my muse for the numerous pieces of prose and poetry that I’m working on at any moment. Perhaps they would grasp that I am an active member of society, and I’m on my phone rallying support for a cause, and discussing theory, politics and places to meet with other likeminded people. Maybe they would finally realize I’m exposing myself to people of all different backgrounds, and that I’ve made dear friends living in Europe, who I’m finally able to talk to because we're awake at the same time. Perhaps they would get that, by being social online, I’m better at being social in real life, because practicing communication with strangers on the internet and becoming best of friends with them translates to confidence that follows me no matter what the context or where I’m at.

Often, I’m on my phone because I’m reading an article on science, politics or the arts. Or maybe I’m using my phone to watch a livestream of a riot happening in the Middle East, or a filibuster happening in Congress. Sometimes, I’m on my phone because I’m studying a new language, or learning about cultural differences because I plan on traveling abroad and enjoy studying what makes each culture unique from the rest. Other times, I’m on my phone to talk to people I cannot physically meet up with in person.

Just because I’m using my phone in mundane situations doesn’t mean that I don’t understand how to live life. I’ve never witnessed anger at people for going out and reading in public, or sewing in public, or whatever else in public. The false assumption every person who touches their phone is wasting their lives away with nothing worthwhile, however, remains prominent, even though being online has taught me how to appreciate being offline even more.

And yet, I am continually accused of being vain, uninformed, disengaged, selfish and lazy. The human race has one of the most powerful tools ever created but we’re set on discouraging and mocking those who utilize it by lumping them with people who don’t benefit from it. It’s highly frustrating to be brimming with things I’ve read and learned from only to be dismissed because I can’t possibly know what I’m talking about and that I shouldn’t be talking about it to begin with, and then get shamed for being obsessed with technology because no one is willing to give me that sort of discussion or information I get from others online.

Without the internet, I know without a doubt that I would not be nearly as involved with politics and music and film as I am now. I would not have the same attitude towards life or other people if it were not for the varying perspectives I’ve encountered. I am an active learner because of my electronic devices, and it’s silly to pretend like I’m a zombie who can’t love life outside of those devices.

Of course, there are people who are engaging in more mundane and less engrossing activities with their cell phone, but those sort of people have always existed. It’s a matter of taking that that leap with the tools one is given in order to achieve being an active and thoughtful participant in society. If someone thinks everything millennials are doing online is fueled by boredom and vanity, they’ve never given it a chance or us a chance. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my time spent online, it’s that giving differences in perspectives and lifestyles a chance is the most important a beneficial member of society can do.