I’ll admit it; I have an addiction. Sometimes I use my phone when I’m at the dinner table, when I should be working in class, and even when I’m talking to my friends. It can be a bad habit and I’m trying to break it and engage with the real world more. However I, like most teenagers, am tired of being scolded for “always being on that phone”. I know how to use my phone without being disrespectful to those around me and contrary to popular belief, I’m not being brainwashed by the Internet.
One day while I was at my internship we were having a slow workday so I started to read my book. I read a word that I didn’t know so I pulled out my phone to look it up. At that very moment all of the other interns happened to be on their phones as well and an older employee pointed out how we were all on our phones simultaneously. The employee was not saying it to be rude but it seems that whenever someone comments about your constant use of technology they’re implying that you’re doing mindless activities on it.
I use my phone to read articles, listen to Reveal (an investigative journalism podcast), engage in meaningful conversations, etc. I’ve been inspired by things I’ve seen online and on social media. I’ve found solace on twitter in times of outrage for police brutality by joining global conversations through hash tags. I’ve learned by simply reading articles and tweets. I’ve seen important local issues become worldwide topics because of people who are always on their phones. I’ve been able to follow and connect with influential people. I’ve seen people dig up important documents pertaining to current events and share them with the world. I was able to witness Olympic events live on Twitter, Snapchat, and on the NBC website. I’ve seen young people launch their own magazines and businesses online. I’ve been able to get my thoughts out into the world in a way I never would have been able to in the past. So yes I’m addicted to my phone and social media, and for good reasons.
I was able to write a piece for MTV Founders about being a black student at a predominately white institution in March and it the first time I shared my thoughts about my experience. So many people responded saying that they felt the exact same way I did and told me how much they enjoyed reading about my experience. Some people said I helped them to think about things in a new light. After my piece was published I was also able to connect with other young people who wrote for the site over twitter. Since then we’ve all developed a bond that I never thought I would have with people I’d never met. My friend Emma had the idea that we should have our own online book club; we all agreed and the MTV Founders Book Club was born. Every month we read a new book and have a chat about it on twitter. I’ve been introduced to new outlets, new friends, new books and had great dialogues all because I’m “always on that phone”.
I won’t pretend that every time I’m on my phone it’s for enlightenment because that just wouldn’t be true. I know there is mindless trash that lurks online but I’m smart enough to recognize and avoid it. I still get on twitter to laugh at memes and talk with my friends and there is nothing wrong with that. In addition to listening to Reveal, I also listen to podcasts like The Read, which are just for my entertainment, and that is completely fine. I use my phone for my entertainment as well as my enlightenment and I shouldn’t be judged for that. Having a creative and fun outlet isn’t a waste of time; it’s essential.
I have an addiction but I don’t have a problem. Thanks to people who are always on their phones we have documented videos of racial discrimination/police brutality and we have forced the country to focus on it. We have been informed on events happening around the world even when news outlets physically weren’t able to cover the stories. A study even found that teens who use social media, no matter their socioeconomic status, are more likely to be politically engaged than those who do not. I would encourage all young people to put your phones down every once in a while, but never feel like you’re doing anything wrong for exploring your world through technology. There is so much out there for you to discover.
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