Advice Column: Put Your Phone Away

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By Edita Bardhi
Opinion Editor

 

How many of you view your cellphones for what it is: a device?

Like your average desktop, laptop or tablet, a cellphone is simply a working device that allows you to do multiple things.

Some include completing assignments, learning, organizing, communicating, staying updated, playing games, taking pictures and more.

Although this small device has the capability to do these, and more, we as individuals should not take it for granted.

Initially, your cellphone belongs to you.

Since the moment you receive your phone you begin to customize it to fit your needs and preferences.

The size, the color and the type of phone you have are all things you invest a great deal of time in.

Whether it is the time spent or the cellphone itself, it matters to you, and it may also become a part of you.

Even so, there is still a life outside of pressing that touchscreen.

It is often that we forget this, and who wouldn’t when our phones help us so much?

Even so, that should not be an excuse to not live your life.

Yes, a cellphone is convenient and user-friendly.

Text. Research. Take photos. Play games. Listen to music. Watch movies.

These are just a few of the many things we can do with a touch of a button.

Regardless of this, every minute you spend on your phone is another minute you could have done something else.

Specifically, you could have chosen to do something productive, whether for yourself, for school, for work, etc.

Another reason to put your phone away is for privacy. Where is privacy these days?

If you are searching for it in your cellphone, you will not find it.

In terms of cellphone usage, privacy does not exist.

Every cellphone owner gives up his privacy the moment he turns it on.

Naturally, you become available to every other cellphone owner out there, even if you don’t want to be.

Obviously, there is the option to block people, however, that only goes so far.

To receive full privacy while still owning a phone, you must do one of these things: silence your phone, don’t respond to texts or calls, or power off your phone.

Furthermore, cellphones are addictive, and as much as we don’t want to admit it, we do put them before others people.

It is agreeable if you need to check your phone occasionally or if you must use it for a certain task, however, we must be considerate of the around people.

Just think, would you want someone to pause in the middle of your conversation to peek at his phone?

Usually, the average person become angered when others do not give them their full attention.

Lastly, you should come first in your life, not your phone. So, give yourself some alone time. Yes, even from your phone.

To conclude, a continuous usage of phones can result in it became another part of your daily life.

It is important to distance yourself from your phone every so often.

Email Edita at:
ebardhi@live.esu.edu