Every gadget, every app on smartphones, every social media platform, was created solely with a motive, of keeping its users engaged and increase their screen time.
Although, use of technology has numerous benefits, having made our lives easier, their potential adverse effects cannot be ignored. Internet addictions, social media addictions, facebook, twitter or WhatsApp issues, etc., are on the rise, at an alarming rate.
In today’s day and age, technology has a powerful effect on people’s lives, than ever
If you are with someone who is ignoring you while they interact with their smartphone,
Communication is a means to express yourself and reach out to another. Language, a form of communication, was developed by humans, to better connect with others, share feelings and information, as well as, create meaningful bondings. However, modern communication through electronic use, has given rise to an attention seeking economy, designed to keep you hooked on to your smartphone as much as possible. The advantages come with a cost and a need to minimise these costs is becoming increasingly evident.
When we’re staring at our phones, we are often connecting with someone on social
Overuse of smartphones in the company of others can have serious repercussions, be it at at home, at work, on holidays, at functions, events, etc. It can distance the closest of friends, relatives, colleagues, spouses – anyone we constantly keep phubbing. When we are in company but distracted because of our phone, we are essentially missing out on so many important minute details of interactions, such as facial expressions (smiles, tears, frowns) of our companions; We cannot hear the nuances in their tone of voice (anxious, sad, shaky); We do not notice their body posture (excited, nervous, enthusiastic, slumped); Miscommunications cannot be addressed easily and many more such negative effects, which demerits the use of technology, since they are signs of problematic technology use.
Plunged into a virtual world, we hunch over a screen, strain our eyes unnecessarily, and tune out completely from our own needs, for sleep, exercise, even food. A disturbing study indicates, that for every minute we spend online for leisure, we’re not just compromising our relationships, we are also losing precious self-care time and productivity. Social media begins as an escape, or a way to zone out at the end of the day. Soon, however, it may become a problem.
If your phone is with you at all times because you’re afraid you’ll miss a call, a tweet, or a status update, you are likely to be guilty of phubbing. There is an urgent need to control this habit, in order to promote better physical, mental, and social health. Phubbing isn’t a real addiction. It is an impulse problem. Impulses and learned behaviours may take some time to break, but is definitely not impossible to do. It is possible to keep the use of technology positive, by being mindful in its usage. So, next time you’re with another human and you feel tempted to pull out your phone—Please!Stop! Put it away. Look them in the eyes, and listen to what they have to say. Do it for them, do it for yourself, do it to make this world a better place.
So true. Well written. We need to circulate this around !! Keep up the good write ups!!
so true , very well written !