Screen Interaction Destroys Real-Life Interactions
Start writing a post

Screen Interaction Destroys Real-Life Interactions

Smartphones can do so much good, but we should not be reliant on them.

248
Screen Interaction Destroys Real-Life Interactions
Pexels

As an 18-year-old girl, I find myself constantly on my smartphone, in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever gone more than 30 minutes without looking at my phone. I find that I do this not really because I want to but because it’s a really bad habit. I recently read a compelling article titled "Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?," and I was taken aback with how much it made me think about my own habits about cell phone use.

A quote from the article that really stuck with me was, “Where there are cell towers, there are teens living their lives on their smartphone.” This is very true in my own experience because I’m constantly using my smartphone for everything, and when there is a bad signal I find myself getting annoyed because I feel like I’m missing out on something that is going on, on my phone.

As a child, I didn’t grow up with a phone, internet, or cable. Once I hit seventh grade though that changed because I was going to a school in a different city than my own and I needed the internet more frequently to do homework assignments unlike I had to in elementary school. There was a noticeable change in me because of new exposure to technology, and I realize now that I am older I was less engaged with my surroundings.

My parents told me that they hated that I needed the internet for even my homework because when I was a child I was content in reading books and going outside for fun. Now my fun consisted of playing computer games or looking at a screen.

Another noticeable change happened to me when I was exposed to Instagram. The app was almost like an addiction for me, I loved it. Distinctly, in seventh grade, I remember spending most of my Christmas break scrolling through posts on the app wondering what was going on in the lives of my favorite celebrities rather than worrying about what was actually happening in my reality.

Reading through the article actually made me take a step back and look at all the instances in my life where I have ever felt like I have missed out. What made me analyze this, in particular, is this quote, “The more time teens spend looking at screens, the more likely they are to report symptoms of depression.”

I found that very interesting because in ninth grade one of the things that happened to me was that I constantly felt depressed. I consistently missed school, I left early constantly because the thought of going to school made me so anxious that I would just need to sleep.

Looking at it now, part of that definitely has to do with technology, that’s all I did freshman year of high school, I looked at my iPad and played mindless computer games and watched Youtube videos. These things weren’t really making me happy like I thought they were.

After freshman year though, I decided to turn my habits around a little bit, I stopped using my iPad to take notes, I was less engaged because I realized what screen time was doing to me and my engagement with the outside world.

Reading the article made me decide to take a whole day where I didn't use my phone or laptop. It was honestly one of the most fulfilling days I had experienced in college. I went to the gym, I outlined a chapter of my history book, and I took an amazing nap. It was a day in which I wasn't consumed by what was going on in other people's lives.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54006
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34770
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957154
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

182009
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments