- When I turned 30, it became difficult to live with a flip phone, so I had no choice but to buy a smartphone.
- Now that I’m texting a lot and using social media apps, I don’t talk to my friends in person anymore.
- Despite the benefits of having a smartphone, I feel more alone and I feel like I rely on it too much.
I held off on getting a smartphone for as long as I could.
As someone who grew up in the age of cell phones, I felt that having a flip phone was more than enough for making calls and texting anytime, anywhere.
When I use it in public, people ask if I’m “detoxing” by not having a smartphone, or if I’m making some kind of political statement. My answer was simple. I just couldn’t trust myself to have free access to the World Wide Web in my pocket.
With the proliferation of smartphones for things like boarding passes and concert tickets, life has become increasingly difficult. Even going out to eat has become difficult because my phone can’t scan QR codes and display menus.
In the summer of 2023, my flip phone completely stopped working as the major carriers began shutting down their old 3G and 4G networks and rolling out their shiny new 5G networks.
Defeated, I walked into the Verizon store with a brand new iPhone 13 and left with the sinking feeling that my life would be forever changed.
I was immediately glued to my smartphone.
During the first week I got my iPhone, I was using it for an average of 4-5 hours each day. I was so glued to my phone screen that I almost got hit by a car while walking.
According to my screen time and usage reports, I picked up my phone an average of 57 times a day. You’d be surprised if you used my old phone for 30 minutes or checked it more than a few times a day.
I felt disgusted with myself and turned off all notifications. I tried to put my phone in another room to avoid distractions, but I couldn’t resist. After an hour of peace, I gave up and received 24 missed messages, none of which were important.
After a few weeks of using my smartphone, I started experiencing neck pain from spending hours hunched over my precious device. I swear I could feel my back starting to curve.
Feeling so isolated even though we’re more connected than ever
I (not pictured) was glued to my phone. Jaap Ariens/Nulfoto
Sending text messages has become very easy on smartphones with full keyboards. I found myself constantly communicating with friends through message threads and group chats.
I love exchanging updates and sending silly pictures, but I realize now that we don’t really talk face to face. With 24/7 contact, we’ve already covered everything. When it came to actual, real-life conversations, my comprehension skills deteriorated. listening already.
The other day my sister came over, sat on the couch, and started complaining about her workday. Without thinking, I put my hand in my pocket and started scrolling. I was exhibiting the same antisocial behavior that I had previously despised towards others.
At the same time, with hundreds of apps at our fingertips, we found ourselves seeking out connections on apps rather than in person.
Instead of going to a bar, I swiped on Tinder. It was fun, but I quickly became intimidated by the way dating apps use filters to find people who fit my tastes perfectly. Within an hour of downloading, I had a book date for the night.
I’d like to think this is a nod to my own talent, but in reality it’s just a testament to how easily smartphones can command human interaction with just a few clicks.
The dates were fine, but the content was lacking. Meeting on an app means we didn’t have a common context in the organic world. We had never met through our community or work. There was no social structure that bound us together.
Our hopeful romance died the moment it started.
I miss my flip phone, but I can’t go back.
I now think of my life as two different eras: before the iPhone and after.
Life was simpler with a flip phone, but having a smartphone isn’t all bad.
Instead of stopping at a gas station and asking the clerk for directions, you can fire up Google Maps and get there. Spotify has helped introduce me to some of my favorite artists. And yes, I do I need to back up all 200 of my cat photos to the cloud.
Yet, I still find myself yearning for simpler times. A time when we communicated with words rather than emojis, a time when we didn’t reach into our pockets every 15 minutes for the next hit of cheap dopamine, and a time when we could be completely immersed in the world around us.
There are throwback smartphone alternatives (or “dumb” phones) that claim to “cure screen addiction” by restricting apps and web browsers, but they’re a joke.
There is no turning back now. Now that we have smartphones, we are too dependent on them to let go.