Over the years, technology has advanced exponentially in all aspects, including cell phones. I remember my dad’s first cell phone. It was a Motorola StarTAC flip phone that came out in 1996. It had an antenna that extended and the screen had two lines for the text to show on. The screen was on the same half of the phone as the key pad, while the other half held the speaker and the battery. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Google it and have a look for yourself.
Nowadays, we have all of these different smartphones — pocket computers. I don’t have to go into detail about them, because odds are that you own one or you’ve used one before. You’re probably reading this article on one right now. I love my smartphone, don’t get me wrong. I’m not sure what I’d do without it since it’s my calendar, calculator, alarm clock, flashlight, TV remote, sole communication device, how I send my emails and news provider. But oftentimes my smartphone makes me feel dumb.
When I wake up in the mornings, the first thing I do is check my phone. I get out of bed and get ready for the day while scrolling through Facebook. I walk to my first class while skimming my Instagram feed. I get to class and send a Snapchat to my best friend and open one that she sent me while she’s sitting at work. My phone begins buzzing in the middle of class and I have to mute the GroupMe with 26 members that I’m a member of. After class, I unmute the GroupMe and scroll through all I’ve missed in the conversation. I go grab lunch and sit down to eat, but I open my Facebook feed again too. There’s nothing new, but still I scroll. While I’m at it, let’s check Instagram again and watch everyone’s Snapchat stories.
I check the time. “Wow, I’ve been sitting here for an hour and I’ve hardly eaten.”
I throw away the food I didn’t eat and head to my next class. I should probably check my emails, so I do. I get to class and turn my phone on silent since my professor doesn’t allow our phones to be out. An hour passes and then I pull my phone back out as I’m leaving class. I go back to my room and there’s nothing to do. I turn the TV on and take out my phone. Before I know it, I’ve been checking random apps and news feeds on my phone for the past three hours and it’s time for me to take a shower and get ready for bed. I’ve also been messaging my boyfriend all day and texting anyone I need or want.
Do you see what I’m getting at? My smartphone is consuming all of my time. Yours probably does the same to you too. You may think, “I don’t use my phone that much,” or “It’s not that bad when there’s nothing to do.” I’ve thought the same thoughts. What about when you’re sitting around with your family and friends or significant other? How much are you on it then? Probably too much. This is why my smartphone makes me feel dumb. If I didn’t need it for so many things, I wouldn’t have it, because the truth is that we’ve all become addicted to having one in our hands at all times.
A few summers ago, the smartphone that I had at the time broke and I couldn’t go buy a new one. So I decided to take the SIM card and put it into an old Motorola Razr that I had. The only thing I could use it for was calls and texts. At first it was annoying, but at the same time, I loved it. Recently I’ve begun to realize how much time I truly spend on my family and friends, and how much time we spend on my smartphones and other handheld devices. My boyfriend and I will be sitting together, but we’re both on our phones. My family sits in our living room together, but we’re all on our phones. A group of friends will be sitting at a restaurant for lunch, but they’re all on their phones. Young kids are even consumed by these small screens in their hands rather than being outside getting muddy and skinning their knees.
It's time we put down our phones, people. Actually spend time with one another rather than sit next to each other with your heads down staring at a pointless screen. One day the people that you're ignoring while you’re on your phone won’t be there anymore. You’ll have grown up and moved out. You’ll have graduated high school or college and your friends will have moved to the next stage in their lives. Your grandparents won’t be around anymore for you to go visit. Your young children will be grown. Just think of all the time you’ve already wasted and the memories that you may have missed out on.
All of this will happen and you’ll wonder where the time has gone. That’s while I’m telling you now to put the phone down. Live the life you’ve been given to the fullest. Don’t waste your time staring at a screen. There’s more in this world to see and do than that, I promise.
