Food, water, shelter–– these are all things that are essential for survival. For most Americans cell phones are now also on that list. Cell phones may be convenient and helpful tools, but do they put us in danger?
It doesn’t take long to notice everyone around you is on their cell phone. Sure, having the power of knowledge and entertainment at your fingertips is convenient, but at some point it crosses over to an addiction. The line is blurry.
It is not new information that texting and driving simultaneously is extremely dangerous. According to the National Safety Council, there are 1.6 million car crashes a year that involve drivers who were using their phones. It seems like a substantial price to pay to be distracted by something that isn’t that important.
What about walking? People often cross busy streets while looking down at their phones, completely oblivious to oncoming traffic. They are putting themselves at risk if the driver does not manage to see the pedestrian.
“All of technology is an addiction,” sophomore Anna Higgins said. She believes that people are too reliant on their phones.
She thinks that the use of a cell phone actually hinders communication and how sometimes hanging out with friends means sitting together while everyone plays games or texts on their phones the whole time.
Socializing becomes just two people sitting together while they are both on their phones as opposed to two friends talking face-to-face. Although Higgins limits her own time on her phone, she says she understands the cell phone pandemic because it’s just how everyone has grown up.
Freshman Allison Rathert disagrees. “I am never away from my phone,” she said. “I get mini panic attacks when I’m away [from it].”
This is a common feeling many other students feel when they don’t have the chance to check their phones past a certain amount of time. Although, Rathert claims she has good reasons to use her cell phone as frequently as she does. She uses it to connect with friends that are states away, and she often makes notes or plans events using her smartphone.
“It’s not just a communications device anymore,” Rathert said.
Also, with the endless number of games and useful apps, it is no surprise that some students find cell phone use to be a luxury, not an addiction.
A major sign that you could be a cell phone addict is if you immediately check your text messages, Facebook app, Twitter app, etc. when you first wake up.
If you hear “phantom vibrations” which is when you think you have received a notification on your phone but you really haven’t, that could also be a sign. You might also be an addict if you have checked your cell phone even before you have finished reading this article.
Krystal Kirby can be reached at krystal.kirby@spartans.ut.edu