Cell phone addiction posed a challenge for me, yet stringent screen guidelines didn't seem like a durable solution
In a world that moves at an alarming pace, individuals yearn for a pause, not necessarily for information or entertainment. A recent incident in a supermarket located in Los Angeles sheds light on this craving, which goes deeper than a simple desire for technology.
After a fire in the Palisades, an individual found themselves engrossed in their smartphone. The fire had resulted in the loss of their home and disrupted their routines. Yet, instead of dealing with the insurance paperwork, children's fears, and the ruins of their neighbourhood, they turned to their smartphone as an escape.
This behaviour is not uncommon. The individual was not addicted to notifications, apps, or algorithms, but to escape from personal issues and responsibilities. The relief offered by smartphones comes from avoidance of pressure, grief, and loneliness.
The author of an article about smartphone-dependent behaviours, Sridhar Iyengar, published on the website of the US edition, argues that we are not addicted to our phones, but to the relief they promise. The solution to excessive smartphone use is not in willpower or shame, but in allowing ourselves the breaks that recharge us.
Scrolling on the smartphone was a sign of being overwhelmed and a request for a break from the stress. The change needed is gentler, starting with identifying what one is trying to escape from and finding a form of relief that actually helps.
Instead of reaching for the phone, one might close their eyes for five minutes, send a message to a friend, or take deep breaths outside. What we are really looking for is the permission to set everything aside for a moment and just be.
Technology does not hold individuals tightly due to its own properties, but because people are seeking an escape from unbearable burdens. The individual in this case was using their smartphone as a way to disappear rather than stay connected. They were not looking for information, but for less stress and exhaustion.
In conclusion, the incident serves as a reminder that technology is a tool, and it's up to us to use it in a way that benefits our wellbeing. It's important to recognise when we're using our phones as a means of escape and to find healthier ways to cope with stress and personal issues. After all, we deserve a break.
