An Addiction or a Necessity?
Aria Miller
Aria Miller
In the year of 2018, I think everyone can agree that technology has taken over almost every aspect of our lives. Part of the technology take over is phones. Phones are our ways of communication and help aid us in everyday activities, but are they more of an addiction than a benefit? Studies have shown that almost 50 texts are sent and received each day per person. Studies have also shown that the average person is actively on their phones approximately five hours a day.
One of the biggest demographics that constantly use phone are high school students. With texting, mobile games, and social media, teenagers usually always find a way to be on their phones.
High school student, Deyaney Rivera, commented on why she thinks phones consume so much of our lives in today’s society: “Well now you can access things so much easier online. Like if you’re doing research or educational things. Social media plays a major role because people are constantly checking what’s going on.” What Rivera has pointed out is quite true.
She, like many others, realizes the benefits and disadvantages of phones. Yes they help us find information more efficiently, but they still cause a distraction. Rivera also revealed how much of her life she feels she is missing due to her phone: “[I miss] a lot [of life] because sometimes when I get bored I just get on my phone instead of spending quality time with the people surrounding me.”
Hillgrove student, Brandi Led, said, “I use my phone as a distraction. If I don’t wanna talk to someone I get on my phone, so yeah it’s a distraction.” Led, similar to Rivera, pointed out the benefits of phones: “It’s just easier to use phones. Instead of going to library to get information people just use their phones. That’s probably why they’re so addicting and why we need them so much.”
Whether or not you decide to acknowledge it, today’s society is definitely hooked on the drug of phones. They offer multitudes of activities that can both help and distract you. However, do not let the negatives scare you away from your phone in fear of addiction. Yes, addictions are bad, but phones are not all about mindless activities. They have the power to connect us all together. Phones allow us to receive news and information from local to global. Phones should not be deemed as addictive, meaningless pass-times but rather a blessing and curse. With a blessing and curse comes learning the skill of moderation. As long as there is balance, it can be healthy.
One of the biggest demographics that constantly use phone are high school students. With texting, mobile games, and social media, teenagers usually always find a way to be on their phones.
High school student, Deyaney Rivera, commented on why she thinks phones consume so much of our lives in today’s society: “Well now you can access things so much easier online. Like if you’re doing research or educational things. Social media plays a major role because people are constantly checking what’s going on.” What Rivera has pointed out is quite true.
She, like many others, realizes the benefits and disadvantages of phones. Yes they help us find information more efficiently, but they still cause a distraction. Rivera also revealed how much of her life she feels she is missing due to her phone: “[I miss] a lot [of life] because sometimes when I get bored I just get on my phone instead of spending quality time with the people surrounding me.”
Hillgrove student, Brandi Led, said, “I use my phone as a distraction. If I don’t wanna talk to someone I get on my phone, so yeah it’s a distraction.” Led, similar to Rivera, pointed out the benefits of phones: “It’s just easier to use phones. Instead of going to library to get information people just use their phones. That’s probably why they’re so addicting and why we need them so much.”
Whether or not you decide to acknowledge it, today’s society is definitely hooked on the drug of phones. They offer multitudes of activities that can both help and distract you. However, do not let the negatives scare you away from your phone in fear of addiction. Yes, addictions are bad, but phones are not all about mindless activities. They have the power to connect us all together. Phones allow us to receive news and information from local to global. Phones should not be deemed as addictive, meaningless pass-times but rather a blessing and curse. With a blessing and curse comes learning the skill of moderation. As long as there is balance, it can be healthy.