Social media and smartphones have completely revolutionized human interaction. I can honestly say that I don't need to talk with my close friends every day because I can see how they're doing from my smartphone, via my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram apps. At this point, I don't even need to go out and meet people because I can sit at home and choose who I want to meet and speak to. It's kind of crazy how little time people really spend with one another, and how much time they spend scrolling through or posting on social media.
Smartphones Are Changing Relationships
I can't tell you how many times my younger siblings have said, "Cindy get off your phone and just watch this movie with us." I usually respond with "it's work" or "give me a second, this is important," when all I'm really doing is commenting on a photo, reading a quote I want to repost, or texting a friend about something funny. The truth is, social media takes away from valuable time and moments we should be spending with family and friends. Social media is changing relationships in ways that I can't even begin to understand or explain. For instance: A couple of days ago, a friend of mine showed me an article about how smartphones are ruining marriages and relationships. The article expressed how the relationship with our phone is deteriorating the bonds we have with significant others because social media is constantly depicting something better than what we already have, perpetuating a new phenomenon known as the Fear of Missing Out aka FOMO.FOMO
These days, social media gives the illusion that "hey, maybe your life isn't as great as it could be," which may lead to FOMO. Because many of us are constantly flipping through curated versions of other people's lives, some of us begin to covet others' lives, mates, vacations, jobs, etc. Now, I'm not saying this is true for everyone, but what I am giving is perspective on how social media is beginning to change the way we think and the choices we make.Time For A Break
Let's face it: Many of us have become a slaves to our smartphones. I can't say I remember the last time I had a meaningful phone conversation with someone without simultaneously checking Pinterest or Facebook. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not considered multi-tasking. It is not a talent to be on three different social media sites at once while on a dinner date with friends. This phone/social media craze needs to stop. We need to break-up with our smartphones. We need some space from social media. It's not them, it's you. We need to remember what it is like to have a conversation with one another and not just read about it.Take The Trial Separation Challenge
I challenge you all to a separation trial period from your smartphones, and I don't mean while you're asleep. I mean take a couple hours a day to put your smartphone away and condition yourself give people your undivided attention when you're with them Concentrate on what's going on around you. The people who give you their precious time are truly worth giving 100 percent of your attention to. Do you think you can break up with your smartphone? Share how you plan to implement your trial separation in the comment section below!The post Is Your Smartphone Ruining Your Relationships? appeared first on NEW LATINA™.
