Anti-social Socializing - Do we have a problem?

We devour information. We crave attention. We're ravenous for comments and "likes."
I'd say we have an addiction problem.

I am resistant to change. Youth demands it.

Just like rock-n-roll was from the devil.
And too much TV was going to rot your brain.
Smart phones are going to turn us into zombies...

Sounds crazy, but there's always some truth to the fear of change. The "what ifs," the unknown, the dangerous possibilities. Similar to the rise and fall of cigarettes and prohibition--and now e-cigarettes and marijuana. We humans want what we want and eventually accept the change, for better or worse.

So how can we keep our values, our brains, and our souls intact when warning bells are instinctively making us resist such ominous changes?

Smart Tech has pros and cons. It's the humans using and abusing it that make it addictive. We have to be self-aware and use self-control. Common sense, logic, and good choices need to be instilled and applied, no matter what the new mania is. Addictive behavior is bad, duh. But do you see yourself falling into it, just by using your phone?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

source

Are You Addicted to Your Phone??
(borrowed & revised)

1. Why do you have a cell phone?
2. How do you feel if your phone is not in the same room with you?
3. Do you sneak your phone in when you're not supposed to have it at school/work?
4. Do you treat your phone like a person?
5. Do you use your phone to check the time?
6. Could you choose between using your phone and a relationship?
7. Where is your phone while you sleep? Do you check it in the middle of the night?
8. Do you take your phone into the bathroom with you?
9. Do you feel anxiety over losing your phone?
10. Would you answer your phone in the middle of an important meeting? Or while on a date?
11. Do you call or text someone in the same house as you?
12. Do you lose track of time using your phone?
13. Do you have your phone when you are eating?
14. Do you have to check your phone as soon as it makes a noise?
15. Have you cried when you dropped your phone?

I feel good that I could answer many of those questions with no problem of conscience, and laughed at a few that I do--I check my phone for the time frequently! And we text at home so we don't have to yell, right? (still not good, we're lazy!) But some of these questions gave me pause. Especially thinking of my sons.

I'm ready to unplug more often (I'm already pretty good at losing my phone and not caring where it is) and I'm also prepared to nag my offspring to lessen their phones' hold over them... I just wonder what the next generation will tempt us with!

So, Are You A Phone Addict?

What should we do about it?
Or do you think it's that big of a problem?

PS - This week, I'm at L. Diane Wolf's blog for my Taking Back Beast World campaign, phase 2. And I'm talking about "NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN" -- how good writers create new ways to tell stories!

Thanks for your opinions! Have a great week--and unplug a little more each day!