Are we addicted to our phones?

Are we addicted to our phones?

Last semester, several of my teachers challenged me to go an entire day - 24 hours - without technology. Their point in doing so was to show us just how dependent we have become on technology, and how we probably couldn't go an entire day without it. In fact, you were allowed to complete the assignment without going the entire day, provided you admitted that you couldn't do it. And while I didn't have too much trouble with the assignment - up until senior year I attended a summer camp that called complete abstinence from technology for an entire week - many of my peers really struggled with the assignment, because they couldn't get in touch with their friends and family. Many said they were lonely and just plain bored, and a couple gave up. Most spent the duration of the assignment in bed so that they didn't have to deal with it, usually totaling around twelve hours.

While I appreciate technology a lot - I use it just as much as the next guy, for need, convenience and entertainment - I also hold myself to being able to function and have fun without it. If I cant play on the computer? I'll read a book, or go out and play soccer, or basketball, or a board game. Computers are not the only way I can have fun. Yet people weren't able to survive without their phones, almost as if their lives had stopped until they could have them back. I think the logical assumption then is that people are losing the ability to think creatively. If any of these people had taken a moment of clarity to think what else they could do, they would have realized that they could have all grouped up and gone and played  a sport. Or just studied with the text books they bought. And in general, they could do this on a regular basis, just interact with one another in person so that they can make that face time that creates deeper, more personal relationships.

Our phones have consumed us to where we would rather use our phones that interact with the people surrounding us. And while there are definitely benefits to using phones, we shouldn't be using them over getting to know other people that are near us.