I will be the first to admit that I recently made the jump from my traditional flip phone to a smartphone. There have been some perks. I have attempted, with success, facetime. I have checked my email and I have taken pictures and videos of my children and have captured some great moments.
I also know the limits that I need to set for myself. This includes using the phone for a specific purpose, putting it away when I am with my children, and keeping the data low on my plan. These are my limits, not imposed by anyone but myself. My self check is that I know if I leave my phone at home for a day I will survive.
In June of 2013, Forbes reported two studies confirming that “More than half of us have smartphones.”
This is a big deal because smartphone use is inevitable. Education around the use of smartphones is limited. When I received my shiny new blue smartphone in its aesthetically pleasing package, no pamphlet was included about what I might lose with gaining this new gadget.
Heck, I can check the current time in any city in the world. It is currently 4:28 a.m. in Athens, Greece. I can access any type of information on the web in seconds. I can keep connected with all my friends on facebook.
This missing pamphlet did not mention the other things that I could be doing when I am otherwise on my phone. This missing pamphlet forgot to mention that I do not have to be accessible all the time. I do not have to instantly check my phone when the familiar buzz, ping, ring announces that I have a new text message.
Most often, it can wait. It just “feels” like it can’t. There is value to what you are doing outside of your smartphone. Your interests, hobbies, connection with others face to face, and the ability to sit and “be bored” is valuable.
Smartphones will continue to have a place in society. Smartphones will continue to influence the way we interact with one another, our family, friends, and the culture at large.
What is the impact your smartphone has on you? How healthy is the relationship between you and your phone? Do you need to set your limits?
Each month a local mental health therapist will discuss an area of mental health. This month’s contributor is Kelly Senty, MA, LPCC. Kelly is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor working in private practice at Steps of Change LLC.
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