Networking addictions in the palm of our hands

I am easily distracted by Facebook, email and Twitter while studying (even though I just checked them five minutes ago).  I know I am not alone.  I have lots of friends who are constantly on their phone, even when  they are out doing something. 

With the smartphones the way they are now, we can do pretty much anything at the touch of a button, or app in most cases.  Email, Facebook, Twitter and even bank statements can be found from a phone, but it's not always necessary to check them.  CNN reported that checks typically last less than 30 seconds and are often within 10 minutes of each other.  Our society has developed what are called "checking habits."

Roy Prumley, a Richland pre-pharmacy major, said that he will "check his cell phone when he is expecting a call or email."  While we used to have to wait until we had access to a computer, we can now stay connected even while we're in class.

Cellphone distractions have become so bad that the Richland Collegiate High School office has a sign on the door reading, "Please turn off your cell phones."  Senior Administrative Assistant Mary Savage, who works in the office, explained that people were "trying to do more than one thing at once." . . . We ask people

to turn off their phones so we can have their undivided attention."

A neurologist, Dr. Adam Gazzaley, recently interviewed by CNN, reported that cellphone users "really pay a price because it can become a way to not interact with people or avoid doing the things you need to be doing."  Richland alumni Geoffrey Hill said that "I'm glad I'm done with school because I know I would be distracted by it.  When I was in school we didn't have all the applications and distractions that we do now."

While much of society has become addicted

to cellphones, not everyone has.  Richland student Jennifer Mathwig hardly uses her

phone at all.

 "When I get to school I put my cell in my purse and don't take it out until I get home,"she said. "I don't like talking on the phone or texting; I'm really bad at returning missed calls, too."