It's a beautiful fall day, and you walk out of class to see everyone's faces looking down. People don't pay attention to the gorgeous weather, or the people around them. Our generation relies on cell phones to keep occupied throughout the day. We are constantly checking Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can't enjoy a concert or a funny moment without opening Snapchat to document it. Could you imagine what would happen if there were no cell phones?
Before the constant use of social media, people talked to each other face to face. There was no other way of communicating! Now, we tend to get nervous to approach someone and start up a conversation. There is so much around us that we tend to not even notice.
I decided to ask some Temple University students, what they think would happen if they just turned their cell phones off for the day.
"Well, I take pictures of my notes for a lot of my classes. There is so much material, so the pictures make it easier. I use my phone so much during the day that I couldn't imagine not having it. Phones are really useful, but we do rely on them too much. Maybe in a perfect world I could turn it off for a day, but there is no way it could happen now. I don't know how college kids ever went to college with having a phone." -Leah, sophomore
"I would be bored, but more productive." - Sarah, senior
"When I traveled abroad I barely had a phone. I could only use Wi-Fi which was only in my dorm. It was so nice. I definitely had my head up more and paid more attention to the places, people and things around me. I do wish I could've kept in contact with my friends at home." - Bridget, senior
"I personally wouldn't be able to function. I know that sounds bad, but when my phone is dead I feel almost too anxious to function" -Ross, sophomore
"I would be happy." - Maddie, junior
"If I turned my phone off for a day I would definitely be forced to get more work done. It is one of the largest distractions of my life. I would also be fairly agitated due to the friends and family I call in case of emergency. Other than that it makes you create your own fun which is exciting when you are motivated enough to try turning it off" -Andrew, sophomore
"I would be a lot more productive, but unfortunately wouldn't be as in touch with the news and what's going on in the world." - Tori, sophomore
When you wake up tomorrow, I encourage you to look around at the beautiful world around you. Put the phone down in class, and pay attention more. It is time that we learn to balance using a cell phone and when it is time to put it away. Having a phone is great, and I too don't know if I would be able to go a day without mine. It is definitely something that everyone should try.
