The Smartphone Struggle

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Janice Johnson

For some people, hand-held devices are as addicting as a drug.

In today’s society, smart phones can be empowering. With a touch of the screen they are able to put infinite amounts of information and entertainment directly at our fingertips. In fact, it’s easy to find ourselves getting lost in hours of playing games or searching the web, essentially eliminating our focus and productivity levels.

With hundreds of apps, social media networks and unlimited internet access built into one small device, it’s no wonder why smart phones have become so popular within the last few years.

But why do kids and even adults feel the need to constantly be checking their phones?

“I thinks it’s really an addiction to our phones,” said senior Ann Edlund. “With my phone, I constantly feel the need to always needing to be updated with what’s going on on Twitter or Instagram, or even just replying to a quick text from a friend. But it definitely does consume my time, to say the least.”

However, while smartphones do hold many distractions, they also can be very resourceful.

“I am very distracted by my phone a lot during the day even while doing homework, but it also is very helpful to me for when I need to look up information really quick or even directions for getting places,” said Jessica Scambray of her iPhone. “So I think they have both their pros and cons.”

But two non-using smartphone students, Ben Mejia and Christian Layton, agree that by not having smartphones, they have been able to keep a better focus on their studies.

“I always hear my friends saying how late they were up working on their homework because they got distracted by their phones, so, in a way, I’m kind of glad I don’t have a smartphone. I think by not having one it keeps me zeroed in on what i need to do,” said Layton.

In the end, it all comes down to moderation and self-control–two things society needs to practice.