The Impact of Smartphones in Today’s Society

What is the first thing you do when you wake up? More likely than not, you check your phone. How many people actually use alarm clocks in this day and age? Why go through the hassle of fidgeting with buttons to set your clock every night before sleep when you can slide a finger to set an alarm for the entire week? It is that easy. And that is exactly why we rely so heavily on our phones: for the simplicity and the efficiency. Instead of writing a letter that could take days to get to the receiver, or even calling someone hoping to catch them while they’re near their phone, we can shoot a text message that is guaranteed to deliver within seconds.

Cell phones have evolved dramatically over the past decade. Most of us don’t even call cell phones, cell phones anymore. Alternatively, we say “iPhone” or “smartphone”. The term cell phone has become almost as obsolete as the use of flip phones. In fact, Business Insider claims that 72% of Americans own smartphones, showing just how important our smart phones are to us in every day life. Our phones not only allow us to communicate with others but also keeps us informed and entertained. We are given the ability to access information from virtually anywhere.

All smartphones are initially programmed to have applications that make life easier for us. Take the Calendar app for example. You can manually type in events, meetings etc. and receive notifications, based on what is marked, that will give you ample amount of time to prepare. You can also automatically add events through emails instead of manually adjusting your calendar.  It is that simple and makes our life that much easier.

Social media plays a pivotal role for smartphones. It gives users the opportunity to connect with old and new friends, share content/pictures, and even gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to post their work and thus cheaply advertise and promote their company. It gives us the ability to connect with people hundreds, even thousands, of miles away.

Our phones are basically hand held computers and television sets that not only help us stay organized throughout our busy lives but also keeps us up to date on Trump’s latest tweets. How wonderful, right? Despite the benefits, there are quite a few negative impacts caused from using smartphones. A research study, “Couples, the Internet and Social Media” shows the impact smartphones have on others. The study found that younger users, ages 18 to 29, more than 40 percent felt ignored when their partner was paying attention to what is on their screen rather than their surroundings. Social media channels such as Instagram and Facebook lead users to obsess over looks causing users to become increasingly more superficial.  Social media has changed the way we see ourselves, how we see others and can even lead users to judge each other based on posts and the amount of likes one gets.

So, where is the equilibrium? Where is the line drawn? How do we find a middle ground between connecting with friends and family while still interacting with others in the “real world”? How can we increase the benefits while also reducing the disconnect? For starters, knowing when to put your phone down and understanding and acknowledging the important, fleeting moments in life. I find it crucial to live life rather than stare at a screen.