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Did you know that people touch their phones an average of 2,617 times a day? This means that some people touch them a whole lot less while others way more. The top 10% of users touch them twice as much as the average user, coming in at more than 5,400 touches each day. Multiply that over one year, and these folks touch their phone nearly 1 million times a year. The obsession with our phones has many people struggling with phone addiction, which some don’t even realize is a problem.
So, what are we doing on our phones during all those touches? Across the U.S., people spend about five hours a day browsing online. This number is up a whopping 20% from 2015. In 2017, 197 billion apps were downloaded across Android and iOS stores. The most popular app for both types of devices was Facebook.
Mobile technology has given us a great way to waste our time, but has it improved life or is it actually taking us away from the people and things that are most important? Here’s a look at a few of the blessings and curses of mobile technology.
Curse You, Mobile Technology
Let’s start with some of the ways that mobile technology is placing people at risk of accidents and taking them away from the things and people most dear to them.
Driving You to Distraction
We’ve all done it. You hear your phone ding, and you just know that it’s the call or text you’ve been waiting for all day. Of course, the person waited until you were behind the wheel for the next two hours. You reach for the phone, read the text, and even respond. You might feel guilty while you’re texting and driving, but reason with yourself that sometimes it’s just needed.
We must realize as a society that distracted driving is deadly. In 2017, it claimed over 3,000 lives. Let’s be clear, that may not have all been due to phones. Distracted driving is any activity that pulls your attention away from the road. This could be eating, drinking, talking to others in your car, or talking or texting on your phone — and might even include other smart devices like watches, GPS, and more. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting is the most concerning distraction because one text can take your eyes off the road for the length of an entire football field if you’re traveling 55 miles an hour. This places you, those in your car, and those traveling the same stretch of road in a deadly position. While some people think that autonomous vehicles can make our roads safer, some experts don’t agree.
Ruining Family Time
Let’s be honest, your cell phone affects your family relationships. Whether doing a video call to grandma or staring at your phone when you should be connecting with those around you, it’s a tool that can improve or damage how you interact with others. Most of us know that we shouldn’t be checking our phone during dinner, but not checking it can leave you feeling a lack of control. Experts say that checking here and there isn’t a problem, but when you check your texts and emails a few times each hour, this adds up to a big chunk of time.
Considering how busy most American families are today, spending too much time away from your partner and kids can damage family life. And, if you’re nose is stuck in your phone, there’s a good chance your family members will do it too, because cell phone use is contagious. So, if your kids see you choosing your phone over them, they’ll likely do the same when you’re trying to have a conversation with them too.
Bless You, Cell Phone
Okay, enough of the negatives. Technology has some benefits too, right? You bet it does, and here are just a few of the ways it’s making your life better every day.
Boosting Your Finances
Technology is changing personal finance in many ways. Today, you can deposit your check, pay bills, and even budget your finances with just a few clicks. And, if you need to transfer money from one account to another, no worries, you can do that too. Other than being able to dispense cash from your phone, you can do just about anything else you need. This can make those last-minute banking needs or large purchases over the weekend when your local branch has closed a cinch.
Not only can you track your money online at your banking institution, but there are also thousands of apps that can help you track expenses, create a comprehensive budget, and make saving painless. A few excellent options to try include Acorns for saving and You Need a Budget for all your budgeting needs.
Changing the Face of Business
Technology is transforming businesses large and small. From online shopping to personalized customer experiences, some companies are embracing mobile technology to the fullest. Not only can you buy products online, but you can follow your favorite stores on social media apps so that you can see the latest styles of any product and be the first to purchase.
Businesses aren’t just using mobile tech to connect with consumers, they use it speed up logistics and fulfillment, engage with employees, and even offer remote meetings. And, if you haven’t heard, working remotely is a wave of the future and mobile tech is one of the reasons. You can work anywhere around the world and quickly connect with others through video conferencing apps and productivity-boosting applications.
You Decide
Mobile tech isn’t all good or bad. With any new technology, you have to weigh the pros and cons and decide what’s best for you. One of the best ways to manage possible phone addiction is to get in control by setting boundaries and recognizing when it’s time to put down the phone and engage with the world around you.
Mobile Technology: A Blessing Or a Curse? was originally published in Hacker Noon on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the views of Bitcoin Insider. Every investment and trading move involves risk - this is especially true for cryptocurrencies given their volatility. We strongly advise our readers to conduct their own research when making a decision.