Technology has revolutionized how we connect, inform, and entertain ourselves. Yet, as I’ve observed in my own life and relationships, this digital shift is not without consequences. Like many, I’m deeply familiar with checking notifications, scrolling through feeds, and absorbing snippets of everyone else’s lives. But recent experiences with family, friends, and even strangers have given me pause. Here’s a look into my mobile phone and social media journey and the impact I see around me.
Observing an Unlikely Addict: My Father’s Relationship with His Phone
To start, I’ve noticed a fascinating—and troubling—paradox: my father, who is of an age where one might expect less digital dependence, is extremely attached to his phone. His social media usage has reached levels that feel all-consuming. This addiction has even caused tensions at home, sometimes leading to heated arguments and even damaged phones. My mother and I have both felt the effects of his fixation on screens, which seems to take precedence over real-world interactions. Ironically, while younger generations are typically the ones associated with tech addiction, I’m seeing the opposite pattern in my own family and many others around me.
My Relationship with Mobile Phones: A Different Kind of Connection
Unlike my father, I’ve never felt deeply attached to my phone. I spent time on social media, sure, but I never felt bound to it. If a notification went off, I could leave it unanswered without a second thought. However, even with this somewhat detached approach, I found myself on my phone more than I would have liked. Recently, I took a decisive step to minimize my screen time. I’ve limited my smartphone use to essential functions like online payments, navigation, calls, and notes. The results have been eye-opening: I have more time to think and reflect, and I’m gaining a new perspective on the devices that have become so central to modern life.
An Unspoken Silence Between People
With my newfound awareness, I’ve started noticing how pervasive this trend has become. Recently, I observed two couples in separate spaces. In each case, they were seated side by side but spent their entire time staring at their screens instead of interacting. They didn’t exchange a word, almost as though they weren’t even together. And it’s not just couples—parents, siblings, friends—everyone, it seems, has grown quieter, absorbed in their devices rather than with each other. When I’m with my parents, I sometimes joke that my generation should be the ones addicted to tech. But I’m realizing that it’s the older generation, who weren’t raised in this digital world, who are, in many cases, even more hooked.
The Reel Trap: How Social Media Keeps Us Hooked
One of the main culprits of this digital addiction is the rise of bite-sized, endlessly scrolling content: reels, shorts, and stories. These quick, dopamine-inducing snippets are designed to be addicting. I’ll admit, there have been times I’ve found myself mindlessly scrolling through these reels, only to look up and realize I’ve lost hours. Social media platforms have mastered the art of keeping us engaged, to the point where unlocking our phones and opening Instagram feels almost automatic.
Losing Touch With Reality
This addiction doesn’t just eat into our time; it distances us from reality. With our phones always in hand, there’s hardly a moment left to simply observe and appreciate life as it unfolds. The constant noise of notifications and updates drowns out quieter, more meaningful moments, leading us to live more like zombies, perpetually plugged into a virtual existence instead of the world around us.
The Never-Ending Urge to Know
A key part of this compulsion is the constant need to check in on others—who’s travelling, who’s reached a new milestone, who’s doing something enviable. Social media has amplified a feeling of FOMO (fear of missing out), where we’re constantly comparing our lives with those we see online. But these glimpses into others’ lives often serve little purpose other than to induce envy or anxiety. Watching others’ successes, often carefully curated, can leave us feeling inadequate, even though this information adds no value to our lives.
Patience, the Price of Instant Gratification
Social media’s instant nature has also impacted our patience levels. We’re accustomed to everything being fast-paced, instantly available, and endlessly updating. Even I, someone known for being patient, noticed how my tolerance for waiting was dwindling. Stepping back from this has helped me regain that calm, and I’m grateful to have escaped a cycle that made me constantly feel like I needed more, faster, sooner.
Rediscovering Stillness and Empty Time
Since limiting my phone usage, I find myself with an abundance of empty time—a luxury I hadn’t realized I was missing. In the past, people used these quiet moments to sit, think, or simply do nothing. Now, with screens filling every gap, such moments are rare. I’m now using this newfound time to read, reflect, and experience life as it comes, without the endless buzz of other people’s lives intruding.
A Personal Take, Not a Judgment
These are just my observations. I know the impact of social media and smartphones is a topic that has been discussed extensively, researched, and debated from every angle. I’m not here to judge or propose solutions. But having distanced myself from this world, I felt compelled to share what I’ve noticed. For me, this step back has been immensely positive, offering clarity and a renewed sense of presence. And while these are simply my experiences, I hope they might resonate with anyone else questioning the role of screens in their lives.