Cell Phones. As a 20-year-old college student, my iPhone holds practically my entire life. All my contacts, important dates to remember, email, music, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, photos, games, and so much more. No matter where I am, my phone is right there with me, even at home when there is nobody who would possibly want to take it. While yes, I think it is great to have your phone with you at times, have you ever noticed the negative effects of always being attached to your phone?
I am in no way saying I am not glued to my phone because, let’s be real, sometimes it is the best way to avoid social interaction, the easiest access to world news, or even making the scary phone call home asking for something (most likely money or food). However, I would like to think that I know when to put the phone down and socialize. Now, it may just be my “nosy, chipper, outgoing” personality or the fact that I actually like to talk at the table during meals and have a conversation about what is going on in everyone’s life, but human beings are social creatures. But now, with the obsession of technology, we are losing that quality.
For example, how often do you make plans with friends and have all these great thoughts of how the day will go, what you will do, and what you will talk about, and then the time comes where you go and hang out. And just like that… BAM! A phone is whipped out and checked. Or the lock screen is open and that person is checking their text messages or a sports score or even doing that random swipe motion that we all do. You know, the one where we swipe between the home screen and other screens just out of pure boredom. PURE BOREDOM. All those amazing thoughts you had just crashed and burned as what you thought was going to be the best hang out ever has turned to trash. That leaves you with thinking “Am I not fun enough? Are you bored of me? Do you have plans with someone else?” We have become so obsessed with not missing any notifications or texts in fear that if we don’t respond within five minutes the other person will be unable to get to their phone. But guess what? I can almost guarantee they did not throw their phone across the ocean, and that it is in fact in their pocket, on their desk, or even better in their HAND! Whoa!
In college, meals can be the only time you see some of your friends during the day. Sure, the food may be gross, but this is the opportunity to gather with friends and have a little “family dinner”. For me, this is kind of how that conversation goes:
Me: *Sees friend in booth alone* Hey (name), how are you?
Them: *looks up from phone* Hi Katie, I’m fine. How are you?
Me: Alright, just got a test back.
*Conversation continues for a few more minutes*
Me: So, any plans for tonight?
Them: Nah, not really. *Proceeds to pick up phone again and continue playing game or check Facebook and conversation is ended*
So what exactly is wrong with this conversation? Well, nothing, I suppose, but if you really look at how the conversation begins and ends you may notice it is with the interruption of a cell phone. I understand if you are sitting alone that it is nice to go onto Facebook or Twitter but when someone joins you, is it really that hard to put it down and have a solid conversation that doesn’t involve showing me the 12 memes of second semester told by whatever television show?
So, here is my proposition to you phone captivated people: What if we put our phones down during times of socializing and hanging out, such as meals or parties or hang outs, and only used them in times of solitude, avoiding that creepy guy in the hallways, or when giving that attractive guy your number, or even when you have absolutely nothing to do?
See if it changes your outlook on how people socialize. Maybe it won’t, but what if it does? What if by putting the phone down you start a conversation with a new person or see a new school event to attend? What if by putting the phone down you start to realize all the little joys in life that aren’t provided by the iPhone? You never know.
