Quantitative Information:
- Total Interactions: 111
- Total Time: 5.4 hours
- Number of each activity type:
- SI (Social Interaction): 14
- Phone calls: 6
- FaceTime: 1
- Checking social media (but not posting): 7
- TI (Textual Interaction): 5
- Schoolwork/reading: 2
- Checking email: 3
- Both (SI/TI): 62
- Social media: 19
- Texting: 43
- Neither: 27
- Checking the time: 16
- Setting alarms/turning them off: 4
- Other: 7
- SI (Social Interaction): 14
Heres what it looked like…
The Assignment
I was given a notebook and pen to record all of my phone use within a 48-hour period. When this activity was first assigned, I was not sure how I would be able to keep up with my phone use. I was afraid because I well aware that I used my phone too much, it was always with me, and I would check for notifications every few seconds. However, I found this assignment to be very eye opening at the end.
My Experience
I have to admit that this assignment has proven that I am addicted to my phone. I found it to be very irritating to have to record every time I picked up my phone and used it for 48 hours. Usually, I check my phone and will not think anything of it. However, every time I reached for my phone within this 48-hour period I cringed a little and had to ask myself if using my phone for a few seconds was worth having to reach into my backpack, grab the notebook, and write down what I had just done. Although I did use my phone a lot in 48 hours, the constant thought of my phone use and having to record it made me more conscious of my phone activity, making me use it much less than I normally would.
Throughout the assignment, I learned that I am more present in the digital world (texting, and other online forms of communication) than I am present in the real world. By this, I mean that I am more comfortable and used to using my phone for communication than I am actually having face-to-face conversation or confronting something in person. I am great at using technology, but this skill actually ends up taking away from by ability to communicate in person.
Ever since I was given a phone it became a big part of my life; I use it for everything and it is rare that I leave my phone for a long period of time. This relationship with my phone has a lot of advantages, allowing me to look things up and communicate with others in the palm of my hand and whenever I want. But it is also important for me to recognize all of the disadvantages that constantly having my phone glued to my hand can have. This relationship takes away from productive things such as studying or real face-to-face conversation. For example, on day 2 of the assignment I went to a soccer game with my friends (activity #s 63-73 – posted below), I found myself checking my phone so frequently that I was not even watching the game. I was so caught up in my phone that I was basically removed me from what I was doing and completely absorbed into texting, Snapchat, and checking the time. I was so distracted by my phone that it took away from spending time with my friends. I know that sometimes using my phone can be beneficial but this time I felt disappointed in myself.
A Lesson was Learned…
By the end of the assignment, I was terrified by how many times I used my phone. I have come to the conclusion that I was attached to my phone. However, I am grateful that I can use this as a learning opportunity and from now on I will try be more aware of how many times I use my phone and when I should put it away.
