Have Smartphones Destroyed Humanity?

[MJ DeMarco]

Fighting this battle with my 10 year old daughter now..Even mom doesn't fully understand my position. All my daughter's friends have smartphones and instagram etc etc. I'm known as the strict dad in her circle of friends, simply because I dont allow her to do whatever she wants and buy her a smartphone. I mean how in the world will she survive and talk w friends if she doesn't have a smartphone right?!

Personally, I really despise FB, snap, insta, kik, etc. IMO, this "tech" is nothing more than drugs being peddled by the likes of Zuckerberg, et al. (who I doubt even uses FB). This personal/family destroying "tech" makes it easier to commit adultery, waste massive amounts of time, brain atrophy, cause depression due to envy/jealousy, is ironically anti-social, on and on. I'm sure they're are some positive use cases (FLF, if you consider forums social media), but probably very few and far between.

Smartphone is a powerful tool no doubt, when used responsibly. I don't watch news, or allow people access to myself 24/7. A portion of ea day I like to sit by myself and think. If I'm ever caught doing this (my wife and family understand) by anyone else, I'm accused of being depressed, weird, anti-social, etc. I mean, why would someone just sit by themselves, in peace and quiet, no phone or tv in the background, and think? Inconceivable..

The future will be owned by those who can control these dopamine addictions and their effects.

If you meditate, I would give you an immediate advantage as it shows a level of self-awareness into how these devices can impact us. As mentioned before, the concern is not with the adults, but with the children who don't have the self-awareness and mental discipline to see what is happening.

The other day I was in Target and I noticed this young girl (guessing 16, 17) who almost ran into a merchandising stand while buried in her smartphone. I saw her later at the checkout line. In the whole time I observed her, she NEVER allowed her eyes to leave her smartphone longer than 10 seconds (to pay the cashier). As she walked out (in front of me) into the parking lot ... same thing ... eyes buried in the smartphone.

I'm truly horrified for the future.

 

[amp0193]

My kids aren't old enough to where wanting a smart phone is an issue.

But wanting sweets/candy/dessert is. That sugar rush is just as addicting.

When there's something in the pantry (cookies I baked yesterday) my 2 year old is throwing a crying fit to get another one, and my 4 year old is pulling every negotiating tactic in the book to weasel one out of me.

When there's nothing in the pantry... there's no problem. It's not even a discussion... there's literally nothing there to talk about. We don't have any, end of story, go eat some blueberries. The kids are fine.


Parents are always talking about "how do you limit screen time". It's pretty easy when you don't have a tv or tablet in your house and your kid doesn't have a phone. They play with barbies and legos instead. Or *shock* go outside.

I realize it becomes harder with peer pressure in middle school... I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

 

[amp0193]

Agreed.

I have an interesting problem with smartphones. I like reading books on mine. I read all the time...so I'm sure it looks like I have a problem. I worry that my kids won't/can't make the distinction.

Dunno how old your kids are, but if they're young, this might be something to be concerned about.

I will almost never use my phone in front of my kids. If I have to send a text, I'll go to the bathroom and knock out two birds with one stone.

I can't split my attention. Every time a kid tries to get my attention, and can't, because I'm finishing up a text or something... I dunno, I don't think it's a good thing. Those little instances add up.

I want to limit their desire to have and use a device. Having a physical book in my hand clearly shows them "I LIKE TO READ".

Or if you want to keep it to e-books, maybe if you just had an e-reader device, that you only used for reading, and so they get that "daddy's reading". And not jacking around on the internet.

 

[rpeck90]

I pretty much live in a pile of books, so my preschool-age little girls see that Daddy likes to read. I also do a lot of reading on a tablet and an e-reader (I really like to read), so I've worried about that too. I just let them know that I'm reading and not mindlessly grazing on dopamine chow.

They seem to get it. They're happy with their own books and haven't showed any real interest in developing an addiction to neon overload.

And so they'll grow up valuing the wealth trapped in the pages of books!! If you can instill that habit young, they'll thank you profusely later on.

I think the term "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" is so apt with this sort of thing. Kids using smartphones to fill in their lives are typically following suit from the parents (who used TV or some other thing to fill theirs).

The millennial generation was brought up by one who weren't really aware of the dangers of modern society. In turn, that generation was brought up by a generation blighted by the depression.

You tend to find the zeitgeist for the generations as follows:

• Grandma/Grandpa -- depression meant they constantly searched for value in everything; self sufficient
• Parents -- consumption boom of 50's,60's,70's,80's -- kicked back against their parents' fear of loss by indulging in "free love" and building their own lives
• Present -- brought up on credit and many spoiled by their own parents (who compensated by the lack in their youth by buying a ton of stuff). Kids become accustomed to getting whatever they wanted, always looking for the next thing. Get shocked that "real life" doesn't give them free handouts and makes them pay through the nose for houses etc. Escape by using smartphones.

I was born in 1990, and my parents gave me every material benefit I could possibly have wanted. Nothing stupid (like going on expensive holidays), but boxes of presents for Christmas and I never skipped a meal.

Whilst it may sound halcyonic, the truth is they under-prepared me for the modern world. I am fortunate because my mother was especially good with money... but I see many of my peers ending up in dead-end jobs, disinterested in learning, and essentially being the tax-and-debt-slave the system wants.

If you aren't growing internally (which is hard), you put all your emphasis on the external. Putting emphasis externally is basically what's lead to the smartphone stuff. The fact it's smartphones is symptomatic. The same behaviour exists with fast food, video games, recreational drugs, porn, TV shows and even the likes of dating/pickup. What's more, everyone has it to some degree.

The beauty of the Internet is that it's opened the door for communities like this, which are exposing the pitfalls of the modern world. Whilst it's true that smartphones have enabled the vices of a generation, unless you rigorously control things (as you would have in a dictatorship), you just have to put up with it (or capitalize on it). The answer - as with almost every issue - is to go inward. Indulge in your own life and forget everyone else. Over time, you'll attract those who see the world as you do.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

But not, I see no reason to give up using em.

No one here is saying to "give up using them".

Vicodin works to relieve pain. But just because it works, dosn't mean our kids should have unlimited access to it. Any tool (or drug) that f*cks with your dopamine is something not to be treated lightly.

 

[Longinus]

I remember my parents saying the same about video games.

Their parents probably said the same about television.

And their parents about radio perhaps.

There will always be addicted people, doesn't mean the whole generation is doomed.

 

[luniac]

Theres a need in there somewhere.

 

[Iammelissamoore]

This is absolutely amazing, and indeed true. I remembered reading an article somewhere, in which Steve Jobs mentioned that he did not allow his children to own iPads and lots of the other products created by his company, same for some of his executive management - smart move.

While I will agree that smartphones facilitate us well in our day-to-day activities, it is important to create some type of self-control where necessary.

The thing is self-control is a personal decision an individual must make to take charge of a situation, and the "forces that be" enjoy the fact that many of us are so carried away with this mobile aspect of life, it is a grand opportunity they use to control masses; far too many of us already believe every single word our governments tell us - after all, 'governments don't hurt people;' so, whatever is the craze today on smartphones, it is the ideal arena to keep minds preoccupied, while many of us are shielded from the harsh realities of the world.

We live in a time where validation is required from all corners of the globe, and the more sucked in we become by it, the further away from reality we go; and the further from reality we go, the better for the "forces that be" - I don't believe it's a coincidence that smartphones have taken over our lives, I believe it became a necessity to keep the masses blindly occupied.

 

[Boo]

I haven't read this thread so I might be repeating an earlier sentiment. But I almost exclusively use my smartphone to call people and peoples reaction is often 'why didn't you email me' or 'why didn't you text me', it's really odd. People are scared of using their phones... as a phone.

 

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[GuestUser4aMPs1]

New study claims Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are linked to depression

Not surprising.

I've realized that Social Media has caused a net negative effect on my well being over the years. Don't have any biz pages or any groups, so cut the cord for good.

My "Presence" now consists of...

-> This Site.
-> Creative Projects on a "mynamexyz.com" WP site.
-> 2 Slack Groups with people I actually give a shit about.

F*** feeling miserable comparing your existence to some randoms on the net.

edit: on a side note, going the extra mile and limiting time spent on computers in general. Ironic considering I run an online business, but would be rather put in a position to be using tech as a tool, and not the tech using me.

 

[amp0193]

How do you manage your screen time?

No fun apps.
All notifications, for every app, turned off.
No games.
Blocked the addictive sites (reddit, etc.) in parental controls.

Then there's no reason to pick up the phone in the first place.

Only got a smart phone to make social posts for my business. I hate having those apps on my phone... but it's necessary.

 

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[B. Cole]

Going to interject a little truth in this though -

No doubt, social media is humanity‘s biggest drug. Legally accessible and publicly promoted to people of every age, extremely cheap to exploit and probably not ever going away.

It corrals people into dense, easy to reach groups. People on social media obligate themselves to consume and display their consumption for social status, not because they used their head to determine they needed it.

Insert capitalism > profit.

Can you imagine 1/2, heck, 3/4 of the businesses on here surviving without it?

It gives more sidewalk space to the side walkers, more distraction and mass market brain rinsing to the slowlaners, and more opportunity to the capitalists.

It’s a little sad to watch people act more like sheep than ever, just try to keep your kids from joining the flock.

 

[amp0193]

Sums up how dating and relationships work with the smartphone generation...

It's not just dating. It's everything.

Where you choose to live. Where you go on vacation. What you do for a job. Your hobbies. Your consumption. How you spend your time.

It is flat out difficult to find contentment when constantly bombarded with imagery of everything else that's out there.

FOMO is a tough thing to ignore.

 

[Longinus]

You weren't playing video games while waiting for the bus, while waiting for the doctor, while sitting on the toilet, while sitting at dinner, while talking a walk down the street, while running a treadmill...

None of these devices was virtually strapped to your face and likened to an appendage that can't be gone without.

You're comparing apples / oranges.

I do remember how parents let their kids play on their Gameboy everywhere. We don't see it now because its now just changed with tablet/smartphone.

There used to be a time when there was only one tv per household. Now there's at least 3 or 4 in every house and in every waiting room, dinner, shop...

I've known people that were suddenly vanished from the earth because they couldn't leave their houses since they had to play World of Warcraft.

But we didn't see all those addicted gamers and tv audience, they were sitting in their living rooms or bedrooms. Since smartphones are location independent, it's something that catches our eye all the time. Therefore our perception is completely different.

There's definitely more dopamine-stuff going on with smartphones, agree. But as usual with doom prophecies as these, we're so focused on the extreme examples, we even ignore the "normal people". "Research" like this tends to say that smartphones are rather a curse than a blessing which is something I can't agree with.

 

[rollerskates]

From what I've seen, it's the permissiveness of the parents that is to blame. Why not have kids turn in their phones at 9 pm, during homework, meal times, and when the family is in the car? Oh, and at church, but that really shouldn't need to be said. I've observed friends at dinner and realized the reason they don't is because they too have their faces in their phones. I agree that once kids are old enough to be out doing things with friends that they need some kind of phone, but it doesn't have to be a smart phone.

 

[ApparentHorizon]

Well, of course. Nothing wrong with tech, per se.

I don't think anyone is arguing that.

The problem is that people are letting those with no self-control (children) ruin their lives with it, by not teaching or requiring moderation of them.

Stop me if you've heard these:
"Are violent video games making our kids aggressive?"
"Are TVs turning our kids into zombies?"
"Is YouTube shortening our attention span?"
"Is Twitter causing illiteracy?"
"Has texting turned our kids antisocial"?

The subject of the study (or half-assed opinion piece) is almost always the tech itself.

The one linked in this thread does a better job of getting to root cause. But if you type any of these headlines into G, $100 says all front page articles are just bashing the tech itself...rather than our fallible brain and what to do about it.

The problem is that people are letting those with no self-control (children) ruin their lives with it, by not teaching or requiring moderation of them.

Of course, and it's not just tech. Gotta teach manners, to speak, to write, to not do drugs, to have safe sex, add to that screens in moderation. We're only in the beginning of the tech revolution, in time we'll adapt and turn it into an overall positive. (at least people on this forum will)

There's a great psychology blog I frequent that gets closer to root causes of what we do, highly recommended:
Higher Anxiety Linked To What You're Probably Doing Right Now - PsyBlog

 

[rogue synthetic]

I'm firmly in the camp of keeping my kids away from screens as much as possible. I've got two girls under three and they barely know there's such a thing as a computer.

I was a teenager during the original 'net boom back in the 90s and, as much as it was (still is) a boon to have all that information ready to hand, it also developed some unhealthy habits that I still struggle with to this day. That's with a physical desktop that you can at least walk away from. Now you can take the thing everywhere -- I don't really envy kids growing up with that in their lives.

I don't know about the scientific evidence for any of the doom-saying about smart phones, but I can repeat the sentiment echoed here. I use public transport routinely and it's rare to see people not plugged into a phone. Not that they'd be chatting it up otherwise, no, but it's more the point that they can't stay away from the news feed. Even setting aside the question of whether constant immersion in internet drama is legitimately harmful, is that any way to live? (Asked rhetorically, but for me the answer is "no", and probably is for anyone on this forum.)

There's also a lot to be said about prudence in the face of novelty. When you introduce a new species to an ecosystem, it may do nothing at all, or it may destroy a balance that developed over a very long time. Maybe writing and radio and TV didn't do us in, but we're in a space that's wide-open for black swan events. There's also the point that these technologies aren't binary on/off events, but a continuum of increasingly refined ways to intrude into the private sphere.

I don't know about all the apocalypse predictions. I just know I'm happier and more productive the less time I spend at a screen. I closed all my social media several years ago and try to spend as much time as I can with my family. Things seem better that way. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Almantas]

From what I see it's not smartphones per se that are destroying a generation, but how a generation is using them. Just imagine how much good smartphones could do if used properly - a generation has all the knowledge and wisdom accessible 24/7, but is too blind to see it and too death to hear it.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

View attachment 15901

Not sure about anyone else, but that pictures terrifies me. And I see it everywhere.

It reminds me of an old Star Trek episode called The Game.

 

[Sequential]

I caused myself anxiety and panic attacks by causing my life to get better.

Intriuging headline? Let me explain..

A year or two ago I decided to quit social media completely. I sold my iPhone 5, and bought an Alcatel that you can't even play Snake on in 2d black and white. I deleted FB, instagram, twitter etc. As a result, almost instantly, I lost all my friends - they actually thought by deleting their existence from my life online, I was getting rid of them from my life. They all shunned me, even though I explained I was just deleting FB.
For the first week or two it was hard. Muscle memory almost makes you type "fa" into mozilla and go on facebook.

After this I got bored so spent my free time outside, walking, at the beach etc. And work got more productive.

I would say for a life decision it was one of the best.

I was forced to go back on FB recently, both for access to FB Power Editor and for a friendship/acquaintance I have with the local dog walking group. And now it makes me anxious. I cannot stand to have FB friends. I hate that kind of openness, that transparancy, that lack of privacy in my life. I co ordinate with the main guy of the dog walking club, I have him as an FB friend, people keep adding me, even hot looking women (I am single) and I click decline to all. I get panic attacks when people message me. It is crazy. But people think if you have 1 friend you are a loser... or if you don't post up what you ate for tea, what car you drive, what watch you wear.... the list goes on.

I am so glad and appreciative to have been at school between the 90's and early 2000's, when there was no FB, no camera phones. I really feel sorry for the iPhone generation.

 

[Andy Black]

I haven't read this thread so I might be repeating an earlier sentiment. But I almost exclusively use my smartphone to call people and peoples reaction is often 'why didn't you email me' or 'why didn't you text me', it's really odd. People are scared of using their phones... as a phone.

Maybe not scared. I prefer a message because I can pick it up and respond in my own time. It’s not interrupting me. Saying that, I’m logging off to ring my mum and have a chat before she goes to bed...

 

[luniac]

I'm sure the world will go to it, but I'd be just fine if everything but navigational apps and emergency communications were disabled when a phone enters a vehicle in drive.

Going down the interstate today from Norfolk to Virginia Beach, it was scary the number of people doing 75 mph, staring at their phones.

Another phone related bit of trivia -

My day job (local government) - We are in the midst of the 5G transmission war between major wireless providers. There are no laws preventing installation of said transmitters on public light poles, power poles, etc. In some cases, law states we must comply and even accommodate such installations.

5G signal doesn't travel as far as 4G, so more micro-transmitters (200 pounds, the size of a mini fridge hanging on our poles) must be installed to get equivalent coverage. We are looking at transmitters being installed several blocks apart and closer in areas of high network use. The goal of these competitive providers is to claim pole space and saturate every bit of meaningful airspace with 5G signal to win the "coverage war".

The juicy part - the signal from a 5G transmitter can kill vegetation within a certain radius of the transmitter. Think about that when you hold your new 5G phone to your face all day.

jesus christ, i live in nyc, so when 5G goes full force is our future collective health a pandoras box?
man... i swear the downfall of mankind will be from something like this.


Can we do a global poll:
Would you rather...
1)Have the fastest internet ever in history forever?
2)Have a world with bees, birds, and trees in it?

 

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[B. Cole]

jesus christ, i live in nyc, so when 5G goes full force is our future collective health a pandoras box?
man... i swear the downfall of mankind will be from something like this.


Can we do a global poll:
Would you rather...
1)Have the fastest internet ever in history forever?
2)Have a world with bees, birds, and trees in it?

5G Radiation Dangers - 11 Reasons To Be Concerned | ElectricSense

Here's another lovely thing to consider - beyond our own phones and routers emitting 5G, utility companies are switching to smart meters. This means that every single house will have a 5G transmitting meter on the side of it, talking back to the company for your usage and billing.

This is the replacement for the meter man that comes out once a month to manually read your usage.

 

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[Andy Black]

My wife has been a pre-k teacher for more than 10 years. She's seen the shift.

She has to teach her 4 year olds how to play with toys. They literally don't know how.

For our kids: No tv. No phone. No tablet. We'll watch a movie together a couple times a month.


It's hard for a couple of years. The kids are clingy and bored and keep getting in your hair. But if you stick with it, they eventually figure out how to play on their own. It takes practice. But then the playroom or the backyard becomes just as good of a "babysitter" as the tv does.

It's good for kids to get bored.

Today's kids never have a chance to get bored. As evidenced by every child I saw at the grocery store today sitting in a cart staring at a phone.

It feels like a constant fight against the tablets. I’ve introduced more board games and card games recently. Interestingly, the kids want more and more of the real-life games (they’re even on YouTube trying to work out how to play monopoly- go figure).

I’m hearing “I’m bored” more often. I never thought that would be a good thing, but seems that could be a sign I’m on the right track.

 

[Andy Black]

Last weekend we made it 5 hours to grandpa's house with no tears or whining from either kid. 4 year old and 18-month old.

Toys, endless snacks, books, naps. We did do one game: "Guess what animal I'm thinking of" and ask yes or no questions to figure it out.

Ah yes. We play the yes/no animal or dinosaur game too. We even have to play it at breakfast sometimes they love it so much. There’s a game you can buy where you wear headbands and put a card of an animal in it so everyone can see it but you. It’s great fun.

The “What’s dangerous?” game is my sneaky way of getting them to think about stuff. “What’s dangerous up ahead?” has them trying to see that van pull up to the junction etc.

They like riddles too. Except I’ve run out. I’ll Google for more kids riddles. Hmm... might be worth a separate thread.

Kids really keep you on your toes.

 

[Walter Hay]

I have finally bought a smartphone. All I want is a device that enables me to send and receive calls and texts - not a toy that is a time-wasting "entertainment" device that will continually send me advertisements that I don't want.

I have dumbed it down by deleting apps and disabling data. It now works for me, and I won't be working for Google, FB, IG, etc., to provide them with marketing info. AND... I am not going to be a slave to trivia.

Walter

 

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[Kruiser]

Agreed.

I have an interesting problem with smartphones. I like reading books on mine. I read all the time...so I'm sure it looks like I have a problem. I worry that my kids won't/can't make the distinction.

Have you tried an e-reader? I put off getting one for years figuring I already have a phone and tablet that I can read stuff on, so I don't need to waste money on yet another electronic device. But I found that e-readers are absolutely worth it. Reading on the e-reader is WAY better than reading on the phone. And, because it is a single purpose device, you are less likely to get distracted with other stuff (emails, other apps, etc.) while reading.

Nevertheless, I still find myself getting occassionally distracted with the e-reader. For example, I'll be in the middle of a business book and then, for no obvious reason, switch to the history book I'm working through. Just shows how much my smartphone has messed up my brain, getting it used to switching inputs constantly. Still, I definitely prefer the e-reader to physical books.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Interesting story...

Madonna is right about smartphones changing children’s behavior: They also have disturbing effects on their brains

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

I've changed the thread title from "destroyed a generation" to "destroyed humanity" ... I've been in Cabo for the last week and witnessed some smartphone insanity to the point a couple of children almost died a tragic death.

Will tell the story when I get back.

 

[lewj24]

But even before smartphones nobody ever looked at each other in a waiting room. The other day, I picked up a Sports Illustrated in a waiting room and thought, this is what I used to do when waiting for the doctor for 30 minutes.

I don't know about this study. I used to ride the Metra train to work for 1 hour each way. I do remember meeting a couple people on the train that I saw everyday. But most rides were just me with a magazine or MP3 player or just me sleeping. I don't think people interact in general in enclosed spaces. Do you think that people on buses or subways actually stood and talked to each other in the 90's? We just stared into space instead.

I do remember one ride on the Metra where I got American Pie on my laptop. Me and a co-worker started watching it during the ride home and we ended up with a small crowd behind us. That was the only time I remember interacting with people on my way home from work.

I think the issue isn't whether or not people talked to each other while traveling/waiting/etc before smart phones were around. The issue is that people are replacing real social interaction with fake internet interaction.

Reading a newspaper/magazine on a train without talking to others is different than choosing to talk to others through text instead of face to face.

The man who read the paper on the train still has to go out and talk to real people later to get his social fix for the day. The twitter DM'er got his social fix for the day during the train ride and doesn't need face to face communication afterwards.

The reader becomes more educated/imaginative and socially skilled. The DM'er learns nothing and loses social skills.