Smartphones: Where do you draw the line?

If you have two minutes, watch this short film about Smartphones.

Does your life look like this?  Do you identify with any of these scenes?

I do.

It’s like I live my life worried that if I didn’t document something, it didn’t really happen.

Obviously this is a lie I have bought into.  Ick.

But what about the photographer and storyteller in me that is always itching to capture a moment, a sunset, a story, a memory?

Where do I draw the line?

This is a topic Jeff and I talk about all the time.  Sometimes we have a better idea of where to draw the line, sometimes that line is nowhere in sight.  All I know is I don’t want to wake up one day and realize I lived my life staring at a 4-inch screen.

Smartphones: Where do YOU draw the line?

I have no answers, only more wrestling, more questions.  Maybe you can help.

Where do you draw the line with your smartphone?

  • Camilla August 24, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    I turn mine off often. Especially at dinners, on the trails, and definitely when I’m checking out at the grocery store. Sadly, we have become a society of that we have to answer our phone or check it at all times. I wrote a blog on my site “No Service. Have we become disconnected by being connected?” after I had no service for a weekend and everyone in the area was “forced” to connect in person. We talked to each other and connected despite being total strangers. No one was distracted by their phone. Simply because no one could use them with No Service. It was refreshing and made me realize that we have become so disconnected with the people around us, the nature around us and more by being overly connected through our smart phones.

  • Ashley August 25, 2013 at 12:09 am

    Wow. I relate to that video so much 🙁 it’s hard because we want to always capture and have the memories in photo albums, facebook albums, instagram albums, et., but what if capturing the memories gets in the way of making them?? I’m definitely right there with you!

  • Erika August 26, 2013 at 8:24 am

    Yes! Oh my gosh – I almost hate the invention of cell phones. Yes, I have one but I do not use it when out with friends, when playing with my son, in bed or at dinner. My husband however uses it all the time and it drives me crazy! I can remember moments – I don’t need a picture to prove I did something or saw something or felt something special and I would rather remember it without a phone in front of everyone’s face.

  • Liz Woodfield August 26, 2013 at 8:56 am

    I can definitely identify with too many of these scenes. My husband is well-balanced when it comes to smartphones and technology but I struggle, constantly “needing” to stay updated on everyone’s lives or get the instant gratification from a photo on instagram. It’s ridiculous! The world is turning us into thoughtless robots. It stops me from seeing what is most important and from capturing the memory and moment. I’m slowly learning to shut it off, keep it on silent (I have a friend that always has it on “do not disturb” and checks it about once an hour), or just putting it away or leaving it in the other room. I’m learning to take one picture instead of 20 and to just always carry a digital camera. I’ve learned to treasure memories for myself rather than sharing them with the world (it feels more special that way, anyway). Technology can be a blessing but it can also be a detriment. There’s a time and a place but it’s a balance.

  • Coco September 2, 2013 at 3:55 am

    I am trying to unplug more, but I think the “documenting” helps me notice interesting or beautiful things to share and remember them more later.