A Lacking Face[Time] - Social Deprivation

Introduction

As we find ourselves living in a time sprawling with interaction, opinions, beliefs and the like, we must note the present social issues within our community. Regardless of involvement, or causation, it is a fundamental part of our social responsibility to make these issues (no matter their significance) aware to those within our community. For the days in which we live in, weren't always as such; prior days, perhaps for the many of us, were spent running throughout the neighborhood, playing at the park, and in general, just interacting with one another. These days of prior interaction, too much of our surprise, were somewhat numbered, albeit far out of our control. Not that interaction and the like are in complete denial nor despair per-say, but they are undoubtedly occurring much less than what they once were.

Given the fact that these issues not only stemmed from the past, but continue into the future, we must not only concern ourselves with the cause of said issues, but more importantly, the cure. As such, the notion of social deprivation is a social issue that is ultimately affecting our immediate communities through the advent, and over use of our phones and electronic devices alike.

Just as quick as the elder are to blame the millennials for this lacking socialization, we must recognize that they too may be a part of the issue at hand. In fact, we must recognize that the issue of social deprivation by way of technological implementations (phones, tablets, and any other electronic communication devices) contains no age, race, nor social bounds; we are all a part of the problem.

It is becoming far too common to recognize someone not by their face, but rather their silhouette - illuminated by the constant barrage of text and data streaming across their phone and/or smart device.

Action

Thus, my action is to not only make a stand against, but to more so make aware the time-consuming, technological distraction that we, as a collective community, have become all too consumed with. Let us holster our devices and take a step back, interact with the family, friends, and the world around us.

Research

Now, it would take no more than looking up from your phone at those around you to realize the present issues of social deprivation by way of technological advancements. Simply put, if you were to just observe the general public in your day to day interactions and activities, would you then realize the personal anonymity and isolation that our electronic devices have created. In fact, “37% of adults and 60% of teens admit they are highly addicted to their Smartphone” (p. 218) states Sarwar and their colleague Soomro in a 2013 study. This includes, but is certainly not limited to people of appropriate ages to use electronic devices. Whether waiting for an arriving bus, traveling on said bus, perhaps even waiting around or eating at the dinner table. Classrooms too, are filled with under-lit desks as students try to mask their actions. As if our interactions with one another are simply halted altogether as individuals scroll through their feed and swipe left and right, studies confirm that nearly “51% of adults and 65% of teens say they have used their Smartphone while socializing with others” (Sarwar, Soomro, 2013, p. 218). Thus, our electronic devices are not only impeding our social interactions and preventing them from occurring in the first place, they too are becoming a part of our engagements and interactions.

Additionally, and through the administration of a questionnaire by Abu-Shanab and Haddad in The International Journal of Computer Networks and Applications in 2015, candidates, ranging from ages of less than 20 to 40 years old were greeted with the many following questions.

The graph (p.54-55) helps illustrate the matter in a numerical form. That is, it is shown that individuals within their respective ages and sex note just how consumed and distracted they are due to their phones and devices alike.

David Dudley of Mens Health wrote an interesting article noting the idea that smartphones may in fact be ‘giving him ADHD’, all the while, those who are already dealing with ADHD are at a higher risk from these compulsive measures. He states, “Research suggests that people with ADHD may have a higher risk of technological addictions, possibly because they use gadgets to quell their restlessness or because their impulse control is lower” (Dudley, 2016, p. 85). As obscene as it may seem, in a way it sort of makes sense. The idea is that we use our phones, in some instances, as a means of distraction – essentially for some, it’s a form of a fidgeting device. Tapping your foot, clicking your pen, actions and activities like these that ultimately distract us for mere seconds…only to repeat them once again. Dudley makes note as well that he feels the weight of his phone in his pocket. Perhaps all the amazing things that it can accomplish can outweigh the boredom or frustrations of our everyday lives, or even when “solitude settles over me” (2016). He closes with, “The urge to look is a constant neural itch” (Dudley, 2016, p. 85). In fact, how many times have we found ourselves pulling out our phones, checking the time and our email, to then simply put the phone away, and pull it out 30 seconds later – in some instances, we aren’t even using our phones.

References

Sarwar, M., Soomro, T. R. (2013). Impact of Smartphone's on Society. European Journal of Scientific Research. 98 (2), 216-226. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tariq_Soomro/publication/236669025_Impact_of_Smartphone's_on_Society/links/00b7d518ce4de2509d000000.pdf

Abu-Shanab, E., Haddad, E. (2015). The Influence of Smart Phones on Human Health and Behavior: Jordanians’ Perceptions. International Journal of Computer Networks and Applications. 2 (2), 52-56. Retrieved from http://www.ijcna.org/Manuscripts%5CVolume-2%5CIssue-2%5CVol-2-issue-2-M-03.pdf

Dudley, D. (2016). Is My Phone Giving Me ADHD? Men's Health, 31(10), 85. 

Personal

While the simple advents and advancements of our smartphones hasn't affected me in a life-threatening manner, it has in essence, affected me in a more subconscious way. That is, social interactions, when presented are almost fear in some instances. Looking people in the eyes is a daunting task, let alone projecting your views, thoughts, and ideas with an instantaneous response, that you yourself must stand in front of and answer for is a scary thought. And it's not like these actions are only occurring because of our smart devices, they're just becoming more apparent. When we put the phones down and stare into the eyes of those whom you're talking to, only then do you realize what they (the devices) have done to us. Perhaps it’s just me, perhaps I'm the only one that feels this way when engaging within social conversations and the like; I know however, I'm not the only one thinking it. And in no way, am I condemning the use of our little pocket computers, I perhaps think, however, that we should become more aware of the time of with which we're using them, and when. There are fundamental times in our lives that we're simply missing because we're too entranced with using our devices.    Ultimately, I found this to be such a fundamental social issue because of the involvement rate, no statistical rating, percentage rate, or data is needed to necessarily justify the importance of these claims. Simply look around. A concert hall is no long lit with lighters or stage lighting, it's illuminate with phones, perhaps the mere light reflection off the faces of the onlookers. We instinctively reach for our phones as a communication device, but more so as a distraction device. Shuttle buses, classrooms and passengers in a vehicle all have the same look to them, a tint of bright lights and flashing screens peering through the eyes of those who wait to unlock its magical meanings.

As someone who spent the majority of their educational career in homeschooling, independent studies, and private tutors I was always ridiculed, belittled, and poked fun at that the mere fact that I was lacking social interactions would be a lifelong hindrance. And while I may have initially thought that I would be at a disadvantage, I quickly came to realize (and especially when smartphones filled the pockets and hands of those around me) that I wasn't at a disadvantage. This whole time, I've been the outsider not because I went to a different form of school, but perhaps because I wasn't following the pack. While all those around me were viewing things on their phones, I was looking around at all the things I had initially missed out on.

Swipe, swipe, swipe; in a sense, it's as if it’s become second nature to pull out our phones to pass the time. As they are, our phones and tablets are amazing feats of technology that to date, have made our daily lives, researching, and communicating a vastly easier task - I ask, however, that we become more aware of how much we're using them, and when.

Look up, enjoy the world and those around you.

Community Members in Support

These are only some of the people in agreement to the idea and ultimately, the belief that as the technological means of communication by way of cell phones and smart devices alike has grown, our social means of communication (face to face interactions) have decreased markedly.

"When I go into meetings with coworkers, instead of talking with one another about whatever is current (before meetings), the vast majority are buried in their smartphones texting, using Facebook or calling people. I have also noticed that people seem to get bored more easily, and using their smartphones during meetings to keep busy.

"Recently (I) lost my phone and feel better not depending on constantly looking at my phone and feeling "connected".


"I believe that handheld devices, especially cell phones, have made a dramatic impact in the development of the art of social conversation. For example, conversations around the dinner table are nearly non-existent, the couples are scanning their emails and social media sites instead of looking into one another's eyes.

Reflection

In reflecting on the topic, and the idea that our daily social interaction(s) have been hindered due to the influx and over-consumption of social medias and electronic devices, we must make note that it’s not entirely all negative. That is, many people utilize their cellphones and tablets for long-distance communication, distant relationships, and even in the workplace for those not all able to attend meetings and the like. In fact, for these vary reasons, smart devices and their technological growth is astonishing, and ultimately for the better. It is, however, when these devices start to run our lives, and we become so dependent on them that our days are simply ruined when we misplace our phones or leave them at home. Thus, as much as we may consider these devices to have ultimately ruined our social confrontations and interactions, they have simply moved to the ‘online world’, where we too are starting to congregate and interact. It goes without saying, that when we use something too much, there can be inherent issues – perhaps, and by making it known that social deprivation and our electronic device usage go hand-in-hand, we can better spend our time with those in the present, and those online.