Phones are not actually the worst things in the entire world

As one of the last people born on the tail end of the millennial generation, I have heard time and time again the criticism about phones and social media from the baby boomers. I have heard it from my parents with their questions about who I could possibly be talking to so much. I have seen the cartoons of mindless zombies on iPhones. I’ve even seen entire scholarly articles about the vanity and obsession with connection in papers like The New York Times.

There there’s those people without phones that find it so rewarding and spiritual to not have this constant connection to everything that isn’t going on around them. People who don’t like phones and who want to live in the moment are obviously free to make that choice and whatever makes them happy is great, but I love my phone, and here’s why.

I am a social person. I have both created and maintained relationships entirely through the use of my phone. When my best friend from high school and I faced going to separate colleges last fall it was sad, but both of us knew we wouldn’t be growing apart in a big way. We text and Snapchat constantly during the academic year and on breaks when we both come home its like we never left.

In the summer my group chat with the three girls I got close to during my first year at Syracuse, lights up when we are all back in our separate parts of the country and can’t see each other on a daily basis.

I know that while I’m back in school I can easily text my Dad about how the football team played and give him updates on basketball in the spring. I can call my mom from anywhere, whether if it’s  for a quick question or I’m having bad day. Without my phone I couldn’t actively talk to the people I care about so easily. Even though the conversations may be over text, they are still genuine and valid and never fail to wipe away any possible loneliness I could be feeling.

Before I was a junior in high school, I knew next to nothing about current events. I didn’t have time to read the paper in the morning before school and wasn’t into social media yet. But anyone who knows me now, can see I am obsessed with Twitter. I can follow my friends and see their updates, I can see hilarious tweets from mass accounts, and I can stay way more updated on what happens in the world than I ever would’ve been able to before.

Yes, I probably do know more about the Kardashians than I originally would’ve liked, but hey you have to admire the empire Kim made for herself. On the other hand, I also take in way more news and opinions than I ever would have been exposed to before. Twitter and social media in general are a way to allow people who formerly never would’ve had a voice to create entire online presence that anyone can consume.

Undoubtedly there is no way to agree with every opinion or post or tweet you see, but that’s part of what makes it so interesting.

When my brother and I begged for our first smartphones in high school our parents initially refused time and time again for the fear that it would take us away from our daily lives and all we would do is be on our phones, but that’s not true. At family dinners we never have our phones out. When I talk one on one with a person or with a group I don’t use my phone unless I know it’s a situation when I can and even then I limit it.

I’m not socially awkward or unable to make conversation with the people I need because of how much time I spend on my phone. Phones and what they provide are fun. I like seeing my friends post selfies and be confident in themselves. I like being able to talk to any of my friends about anything at almost any time. I like being informed. Is my phone the most important thing in the world to me? Absolutely not, but, liking your phone shouldn’t be so criticized when its usage is generally pretty harmless.