Digital Detox Reflection

Lizzie Percy

period 1

Digital Detox Reflection

        Cell phones play a major role in majority of people's lives in today's society - including mine. Being separated from my cell phone is almost like me feeling naked, because it has always been apart of my daily routine. On a daily basis, I use about five apps: snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, FaceTime, and of course my messages app! Constantly, I am checking my phone for messages, and/or notifications from my apps. Since my phone was not glued to my hip, but in the front of my psychology class, inside of my backpack, I was much more attentive in class, versus my other six classes which my backpack was next to me for each class. Although it was weird not being able to check my phone every five minutes, I felt a little bit of relief. I was shocked at how often I wanted to reach for my phone and it was not there to check. Initially, I didn't want to give up my phone all class because it's like a baby to me, but as the experiment went on, it became easier to distance myself from my cell phone. I became more open minded by not always having to involve my phone in situations throughout the class period. Not having my phone causes me to socialize more with my classmates near me instead of playing on my phone when I am bored at the end of class. At times, I would be paranoid I didn't have my phone near me in class because I didn't want to receive an important text from my mom and being unable to answer her quickly if needed.  Even if I'm on my phone for five, twelve of twenty times, those times add up, and they add quickly! Since the experiment has ended, I stop checking my phone constantly and rarely during class, so I gave my full attention on the subject being taught. Although I wish I could stop using my phone all together in school, it's impossible because I use my phone for academic reasons too, not only to "play" around on. I would definetly recommend this to my friends to try, and evaluate how much they truly go on their phones although they may not think it's that much. They are taking over our social lives, and soon that will be the only way we know how to communicate towards one another. Not having your cell phone in your hand 24 hours a day will not kill you! Let's put the electronics down every once in a while and socialize and mingle. Although cell phones are a small item able to fit in our pockets, they play a major role in daily actions through the day.