I was sitting on my back porch in the summer of 2023. It was a beautiful, sunny day. A day that screamed, “You need to be outside today.”
Sitting there, drinking in the sunshine, I scrolled through Twitter (X) on my phone. With each passing post, I became more anxious and aggravated, and a realization slapped me: “This is not good for me.”
Shortly after, I changed my account password to something I couldn’t remember and logged out.
According to PC Magazine, “More than half of Americans (57%) say they are addicted to their phones, among those surveyed by Reviews.org. On average, in 2023, people are checking their phones 144 times a day.” (That’s once every seven minutes during waking hours.)
Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, was released in 2024 and describes the correlation between a spike in depression and anxiety among teenagers and the rise of smartphones and social media.
While I have not read the book, I have listened to a few podcasts with Haidt, and to say his proposition is sobering is an understatement.
But here’s the deal: I don’t believe cellphone overuse is limited to the younger generation. I argue that it is making all of us more anxious and depressed. Not to mention that the big tech companies are spending tons of money to keep us tied to their constant stream of outrage and advertising.
So, I am taking steps to limit my cell phone usage:
- I removed all social media apps and logins from my phone.
Honestly, this wasn’t difficult for me. I only had LinkedIn on my phone and quit Twitter (X) two years ago. - I no longer use email on my phone.
This was a significant change for me, but it has been easier than expected.
Most emails are not urgent, and my team has my cell phone number, so they can text or call me if something requires my immediate attention. - I deleted the shortcut for the News app.
This was another significant change. I want to stay informed, but now I need to make an effort to do so instead of doom-scrolling at a moment’s notice.
So now, I use my phone for four things: texts, pedometer, listening (podcasts, books, and music), and an occasional phone call.
And I feel more peaceful with this arrangement. I hope I can keep it up.