A Gallup poll last year found that 73% percent of Americans ages 18 to
29 checked their devices a few times an hour – including 22% every few
minutes. 59% of respondents ages 30 to 49 said they looked at
their phones a few times an hour.
What explains their appeal? With the onset of smart phones and devices,
the opportunity to socialize with each other, face-to-face, is increasingly
rare. Sad but very true. Now, Facebook is actually creating depression as people compare themselves to others and feel left out, lower self-esteem and even jealous.
In a 2015 study
by the Pew Research Center, 89% of cell phone owners said they had used their phones during the last social
gathering they attended. But they weren’t happy about it; 82% of adults
felt that the way they used their phones in social settings hurt the
conversation.
More frequently in our practice, we see that this problem is become more serious being so connected to social media. In essence, you are removed you from true interaction and experiences by recording them instead of really being present. Last week I actually heard a broadcast describing how with everyone looking down all the time as in this photo, there are moves to place walk/don't walk signals in the sidewalk.
Try unplugging and see what happens to your emotions, relationships and happiness.