....Smartphone?
Just wondering.
If you switched it off for a month and didnt use it would you survive?
Hands up who doesnt have one and when they need to contact some body just borrow someone elses phone, email, msg online at a computer, use the landline, write a letter or go see them.
I mean can we actually ditch them so they arent taking up so much space in our pockets and handbags and giving out radiation.
I'm probably going to catch some slack for this -- because I used to be one of THOSE people. I used to be someone who rolled my eyes at people who were "always on their phones," and verbally lamented the days when people weren't glued to a personal screen all day. After all, I'm the person who usually only gives in to buying/updating technology when some kind of dire situation forces my hand. I hate forking over money for tech gadgets that take me forever to learn to use.
When I finally did give in to getting a phone, it was just the simple flip version, and when I finally got a phone with an actual keyboard (but was so slow that it was useless for the internet,) I held on to it for umpteen years, refusing any thought of upgrading. For some reason, a CC friend began to literally hound me and insist that I "needed a smartphone," to the point where he actually sent me one, saying, "You are going to learn how to use this -- and it is going to change your life." I really, really hate it when my friends are right.
I don't have a fancy phone at all -- another friend tried to insist I "upgrade" to the iphone and I was like, "Are you crazy, there's no way I'm paying that much for a phone." But when my contract is up on this one... Sigh. I've finally learned to never say never. Right now I'm even on a family plan that costs me less than $40 a month, and the current phone I have was free with the plan.
First of all, a smart phone actually saves me a ton of money. Before I got one, I had a watch (for a timer,) calculator (which I used all the time, with apologies to my math teachers,) digital camera, GPS (I'm often in unfamiliar areas this is a non-negotiable for me,) landline, cable, and home internet service. A smart phone has eliminated all of those bills/multiple gadgets to haul around and then some. Even though I can now see the need to buy an updated phone every few years (for myself, at least), I no longer have to buy an entirely new camera or GPS when the ones I have become obsolete. The other expenses I've been able to cut out more than pay for the cost of a phone several times over.
As a single woman, I have also found a phone to be an indispensable device when it comes to safety. I had a job long before personal phones that required me to drive long distances -- I feel MUCH safer now having my own phone on hand. I haven't used Lyft or Uber yet (have read too many stories about rides that wound up in assaults/kidnapping,) but if I do, I know that I can take pics of the car, license plate, and possibly driver (if that's allowed? I'm not sure what the regulations are,) and send them to a half dozen friends and family as a precaution, with just a few clicks. And if the driver refused to let me take down this information, I would know that I should refuse to step inside of their car.
Likewise, if I met someone for a date for the first time in person, I can send periodic texts to loved ones letting them know where I am as a safety net. I always make first dates for lunch or coffee in the middle of the day, and tell them that a friend/family member is expecting me over later in a few hours (giving plenty of time for the date, but also giving me a way out if anything goes wrong.) This lets the other person know that someone will be looking for me and knows where I am, just in case they have it in the back of their head to try to toss me into a van and drive away.
I know that probably sounds paranoid, but it's a crazy world out there. I also feel that carrying a phone helps me look out for the safety of others. Just a few weeks ago, a family member texted and asked if I could pick her up from a situation that was manageable, but would have left her stranded for a few hours.
And finally, the most unexpected side effect I've found from a smart phone is that it has greatly improved my social isolation, which I know is going to sound strange. I tend to be a hardcore introvert (who enjoys being with close friends and family in limited bursts of time,) but can masquerade as an extrovert when needed. However, for much of my life, I've been more than content to carry on a lot of my "social functioning" through written communication. I know this isn't for everyone, but it seems to be the way God built me.
Having a phone adds a "3-D" element to those exchanges. Having the ability to "talk" to long-time friends everyday via texts, chats, voice messages, videos, and photos (I love snapping pics of things that remind me of someone and sending it to them,) not only fills my need for social connection, but it also keeps me from charging right through the guardrails of isolation.
One of the major reasons that I've been able to stay away from getting into relationships or even friendships that aren't right for me or the other person the past several years (just out of loneliness) is because I already have people I share my days, adventures, and long, rambling thoughts with (pity those poor people.)
I am truly thankful to the friend who not only insisted that I needed to get a smart phone, but also literally spent hours teaching me (through voice texts and phone calls) how to use it. In my case, it wasn't just trying to keep up with a social trend. It was literally life-saving, and definitely a nudge from God, because at first, I wouldn't even listen.
It's funny how God can choose to speak -- and reaches out to us long before we pick up our phone.
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