Contributors: MAC SMITH, COLIN McEVERS
Excessive smartphone usage among young adults is a byproduct of widespread promotion of and access to these devices in American society. 99% of US adults between the ages of 18 to 29 own a smartphone, spending a daily average of approximately nine hours on their screens.
The dopamine boosts that people enjoy from checking notifications, scrolling through social media and other such hooks are addictive, making regulation of phone use challenging. It goes without saying that too much screentime is associated with a range of negative effects, both mental and physical.
“No Phone February,” a nationwide challenge that encourages people to reduce or eliminate their phone usage for the month, strives to present a solution to the issue of technology overuse. On the Salisbury University campus, the notion is viewed as frivolous by many.
Carson Smith, an SU freshman, doesn’t know how much time he spends on his phone each day. He turned off the feature on his phone that measures screen time to avoid feeling bad about his usage.
One thing Smith does know, however, is that he would not partake in a challenge which involves a month-long hiatus from his phone.
“I need [my phone] in order to contact people, it’s my main way of reaching my parents and friends back home,” he said.
Most of his phone time is spent on social media, where he checks out ongoing events and messages friends. Smith does not believe his device is much of a distraction, though he admitted that he becomes drowsy as a result of using his phone too much.
Allie Webster, an SU Freshman, spends about 6 hours or more on her phone per day. She thinks her phone is only a distraction when she’s bored, yet not an issue under other circumstances. Webster is also averse to the idea of eliminating phone usage.
“Unless there was some kind of reward, I would not do it,” she said.
Ben, an SU freshman, spends about 5 to 6 hours on his phone per day, mostly watching Netflix and scrolling through TikTok. In contrast to most others, he expressed openness to the idea of taking a month-long break from his device.
“It can be too stressful,” he said.
Featured image courtesy: Colin McEvers/TheBuryPost
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