I usually consider myself not addicted to my phone. On any given day I check my cellphone maybe once a day for text messages and missed calls. I talk on the phone maybe once every two weeks and text maybe five times a week--and that means only five text messages per week. I'm notorious for not answering my phone and responding to texts.
I carry my phone for two main purposes: 1) clock, and 2) emergency calls. I do call my family every once and a while, but other than that I avoid it. I do not like talking on the phone. I prefer speaking face to face with someone if at all possible.
The downside to my neglect is I miss out on invitations and people stop texting me because I don't respond. I perpetuate the neglect of my phone. And sometimes, I don't care.
However, I had an enlightening event this past week that opened my eyes to my dependency on my phone.
I was visiting my sister and my nephew Jonathan on Tuesday. Jonathan loves to play with my phone so I gave it to him to carry around. He laughs every time he presses the buttons and a red screen comes up. It says 'to unlock, press ok, then clr.' It's the only reason I allow him to play with it. I'm pretty sure he won't press those two buttons in the right order and accidentally call someone. I love watching him giggle every time the screen pops up.
Eventually he lost interest and left the phone somewhere and I left without it.
It took me a while to realize it was gone. I went back to my sister's and we found it in the diaper bag. I was so relieved and also shocked that I actually missed my phone. All my talk about how I don't need it was a lie. I use and need it more than I thought--even only to tell the time. I don't know how people lived without the ability to contact others whenever and wherever they wanted. Phones are one of the greatest inventions and has changed humanity forever. Never the less, I am glad I am not completely dependent on it. Too many people are addicted to using their phones and neglect things that are more important, like personal interaction and basic appreciation of their surroundings. I see too many people walking around on campus, talking on their phones or texting, while completely ignoring the people and the world around them. They become self-centered and consumed by their phones and transmitted conversations.
