My Relationship with my Smartphone
My Cellphone and I #itscomplicated
My cellphone is a piece of technology that I have a complicated relationship with. You can even state that it is my lifeline. My cellphone is how I stay connected to various important aspects of my life. It is how I check my emails, social media and store important information. This piece of technology is essential in operating my day to day life. I have had a cellphone since middle school. Those were the days before social media and unlimited texting. For almost as long as I can remember this device has been with me. Over the years I have upgraded smartphones and downloaded multiple applications. Cellphones are constantly developing and improving. Just like a lot of things in life, my cellphone has impacted me in positive and negative ways.
Pros and Cons
My smartphone has brought a lot of joy and positivity to my life. It is how I stay connected to my family and friends that are near and far. I have grandparents that live in Honduras and I do not get to see them very often. Without the access of instant messaging applications on my phone such as WhatsApp I do not think I would talk to them often, if at all! It is also where I take and store photos that are precious to me. I do not even have to think twice about taking a photo and knowing it will be saved forever. I love the convenience and accessibility of my cellphone. It is a piece of technology that will probably go everywhere with me for a long time. The connections it provides me to others is what is most impactful. I am privileged and grateful to have access to this technological device.
My cell phone has also impacted my life negatively. With all the positive aspects a smartphone brings come some negative aspects. My smartphone has undesirably brought some negative habits. I can honestly state that I am addicted to my phone. On average I use my cellphone about four to six hours each day. I am addicted to checking it for updates or using it to obtain information. In having immediate access to my smart device, there is a constant desire to be checking it frequently. I think the ability to have instant access at the palm of your fingers creates an opportunity for an increase in boredom. Perhaps this is why we tend to instinctively reach for it? I think this habit of constant utilization has taken away from time sent with the people around me.
Going Forward
The invention of the smartphones has been wonderful in many ways but like any other piece of technology we have to use it the right way. It is easy to spend endless hours scrolling through Instagram and watching videos. You have to determine for yourself what works for your lifestyle. Cell phones are an amazing tool! We must remember like any tool, we have to use it efficiently and effectively. Tools are meant to be developed and utilized for a certain purpose. I believe cell phones were meant to make our lives easier and keep us connected. Everyone’s lifestyle, occupations and personal lives vary. It only makes sense that their utilization of cell phones vary as well. It is up to the user to determine how they use a smartphone. I know that going forward I will be setting limits to my usage. You may ask yourself, are cell phones good or bad? I will leave it up to the individual to determine that for themselves. If you would like to read what experts have to say, I recommend this article Are smartphones bad for us?
References
Aggeler, M. (2024, January 10). Are smartphones bad for us? Five world experts answer. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/jan/10/smartphone-screentime-good-bad-expert-advice
Psych of Tech Institute. (2019, August 2). Adam Gazzaley - How to maintain a healthy relationship to technology. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vqLh15RgsI
Hi J,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response! I feel so connected to you after I read this blog! I have so many similar feelings about my phone, even your phone timeline is similar to my own. I also got my first phone in middle school, and now I have an iPhone that I completely addicted to! I admire that you put up your screentime in the blog! I turned the notifications off, because I am not ready to face the reality of how much time I spend on my phone everyday.
Also, I love that you talked about WhatsApp! I mostly use iMessaging, but my friend lives in Spain and she is always telling me how superior WhatsApp is! I also love that you are able to communicate with your grandparents using this technology! That's the best!
Have a wonderful weekend!