Reflecting on the 1990s, one can’t help but feel nostalgia for simpler times. Back then, accessing the Internet required a trek to the computer lab, and if you owned a computer, it was likely a bulky desktop or a loud laptop that didn’t travel well. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest were just budding concepts. Fast forward to 2015, and life has become more complex. You now carry a miniature computer in your pocket, and it’s called a smartphone. Here are six signs that your smartphone habit has taken the reins over your life (and possibly your children’s as well):
1. Existential Crises in the Bathroom
You’ve entered the bathroom without your phone and suddenly find yourself in an existential crisis. What do you do with three whole minutes of solitude? Scanning the room, you ponder: Should I repaint these walls? When was the last time I cleaned in here? Is that… a stain on the floor? Without your phone, unsettling thoughts begin to surface.
2. Traffic and Social Media
Stuck in traffic, you’ve spent seven minutes trying to craft a witty Facebook status, only to be thwarted by traffic lights. Finally, you hit a red light, post your clever thought, and dive into scrolling through Buzzfeed. You’re so engrossed in their “You Had One Job” collection that you lose track of time, and when you look up, the light is yellow. The truck driver behind you is honking, and you hastily accelerate through the intersection.
3. Parenting Blunders
Your phone distractions have led to multiple parenting blunders. At the playground, you’re so absorbed in tweeting that a toddler wanders off and another climbs onto the roof. Parents around you start to call out, and when you finally look up, you realize those children are yours. Last week at the ER, while your son received stitches, you couldn’t recall how he got hurt, but you could share a fantastic crockpot recipe that caught your attention online.
4. Wi-Fi Woes
While waiting for your older child to finish a haircut, the Wi-Fi drops, and your toddler’s favorite app is suddenly inaccessible. You exchange bewildered glances, realizing you might have to entertain him without any electronic devices. What does that even look like?
5. Communication Challenges
When your partner calls from a work trip, FaceTime fails—again. Your kids react with disbelief: “So we just talk to Daddy? Like, we don’t see him?” They fumble with the phone, unsure of how to communicate without video.
6. Deteriorating Cognitive Skills
Your cognitive skills have deteriorated to the point where you struggle to answer basic questions about current events or even the upcoming presidential candidates. You’ve relied so heavily on your smartphone that your brain has become unaccustomed to independent thought.
Ah, the ‘90s were truly a different era, filled with brief email exchanges and less screen time. How wonderful it would be to return to those uncomplicated days. Yet, here we are, tethered to our phones.
For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on fertility. It’s crucial to understand the impact of technology on our lives, including its role in parenting and relationships. Don’t forget to explore our other blog post regarding the terms of service for more information.
Summary
Smartphones have dramatically altered our daily lives, leading to a dependency that can affect our parenting and cognitive abilities. From being unable to entertain ourselves without a device to struggling with basic communication, these signs highlight the influence of technology on our existence.