Everyday many people all over the world are sitting on their phones distracted. These people are missing out on everything going on around them while they let their phones take away all their time because they are just too attached to electronics. Whether it’s at home, school, with friends or even family, time doesn’t stop, and you’ll never get back the moments that you’re missing.
Being on your phone 24/7 can have a bigger impact on you than you think. It affects social interactions and makes face-to-face interactions less genuine. Instead of fully engaging in conversations, teens are often seen scrolling on social media, texting, or taking photos. This can make the people around them feel unimportant or ignored. When you’re not fully present in the moment it can make social interactions less attentive. It can make it harder to pick up nonverbal cues like facial expressions and body language, which is important when trying to understand what someone is really saying. There are times when I’ve talked to someone and because they were distracted on their phone, they didn’t remember what I had said which made the conversation pointless. Sometimes all someone needs is an ear to listen but how can people listen when they’re distracted by their electronics?
Have you ever looked back at a picture or video and felt like you missed out on fully experiencing the moment when it happened? Sometimes when we try to capture the moment, we end up missing it without even realizing. We get distracted trying to get the perfect shot instead of being present. Being on your screen can prevent you from fully engaging with your surroundings and the people around you, making it harder to fully remember the experience vividly. Some people become more focused on documenting everything for social media which can add pressure and make the experience feel less authentic. Being on your phone can ruin your experiences and memories. Sometimes it’s nice to look back through your camera roll and relive your memories, but often teens take for granted the time they have and end up focusing on what they will later post on their social media. Many to most teens don’t even realize the affect phones have on their experiences and memories.
Personal reflection and mindfulness are very important parts of developing a stronger sense of self and finding your way around situations going on in your life. It’s important to have that time alone to think and understand yourself. However, phones can become a big distracter. When teens are alone and bored it seems like their phones are their only option. Instead of reflecting on their day and interactions they are playing games or watching things to cure their boredom. The habit of seeking validation through likes and comments can corrupt one’s personal reflection. You know there’s a problem when someone’s idea of self-worth becomes tied to online approval rather than their values.
While phones are very important in the daily lives of teens, they contribute many problems to those who get caught up in them too much. They can cause distraction and take people out of the moments that they will never be able to get back. Without realizing teens spend an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes on their screens each day. It’s a temptation hard to avoid when most everyone is drawn in as well.