What’s in Control, You or Your Phone?

What’s in Control, You or Your Phone?

We know more people around the world have cell

phones than have ever had landlines. There are almost as

many cell phones in operation as there are people on the

earth. It’s an epidemic.

How is this affecting us individually and in our

relationships? You may not have the answer, but you can

certainly understand the question.

Considering that more people have cell phones in our

world than have flushing toilets, (yowsa!), the prospect of its

effects is scary. Is this a silent disaster lurking to disconnect

our world even amid the most rapid technological

connection ever? Are we connected in ways that are ruining

our relationships, health, and finances? We are currently the

most obese and addicted society in history. Is our disconnect

a contributor to this unfortunate statistic?

Consider your own life as an example. What is the first

thing you pick up when you awake in the morning? A large

part of the world’s population would say their smartphone,

iPad, computer, or TV remote. For many, their device is

the last thing they look at before going to sleep and the first

thing they look at when they wake up.

For twenty-five years, I have studied human behavior

and heard hundreds, if not thousands, of stories about

the disconnect people feel. I’ve seen it firsthand from my

colleagues, professors, and clients and even in my own

personal life. I’ve discovered that we have many ways of

disconnecting from ourselves and our loved ones; some we

are conscious of, and some we are not.

There are helpful ways  to connect—

ways to bridge the divide that affects each of us relationally

and individually.

To do this we each have to become aware of the ways we are disconnected and be cognizant of the role our

digital devices play in each of our lives. Do they control us or are we in control of them. We check out

phones over 150 times each day on average and we spend 10 hours each day in front of screens. This is

more than 2/3  of our day.  Is this why we are struggling with anxiety and focus?

We can change and disrupt our unhealthy tech habits and take action to enjoy connection and happiness in

real time.



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