Phone Down Challenge

Phones have taken us down a path of instant communication and community engagement as well as given people a determined focus to further intelligence. A singular device has been programmed to do anything and everything. The one thing a phone does not do? …. Allow a face-to-face conversation.

I went to Fulton, Missouri just a few days ago to write an article on William Woods University asking students to stay off their phones during Friday lunch hours. Students were encouraged to have conversations with those at their table without picking up the device humans find so addicting.

“Phone Down Friday” was implemented by the university's president and a group of student leaders who decided people were so glued to their devices they needed to attempt a no-phone challenge. A brochure with possible conversation topics was also laid on the lunch tables, though students did not use it very much.

So, did “Phone Down Friday” work? Good question. The majority of the students tried it and found it difficult but possible, and many thought it was a good idea. Some were indifferent to the challenge and others thought it was ridiculous and used their phones anyway.

All of this to say, I thought it was a good idea, one that probably caused many of the students to think about whether or not they stare at their phones while in a conversation. And I should mention, in my mind I decided living without my phone for a few hours during the day would be an easy challenge.

No sooner had I started on my way back to the Columbia Missourian, when I realized I was missing my phone. Yes, after I searched my car and ended up empty handed, I freaked out. That day alone I had used my phone as a GPS, texted friends, recorded interviews and taken pictures. I realized how much I needed my phone.

Long story short, after driving back, asking and searching for a while, a man found my phone and I retrieved it, thankfully still in great condition. In losing my phone I proved to myself how addicted to my device I am, an idea the leaders of William Woods University were attempting to emphasize.

Not that phones are bad; in fact, they’ve helped us come a long way. I use my smartphone all the time to stay in touch with people, for classes in school and especially for journalism. However, this story was a great reminder to take time out of my day to focus on people without being focused on my phone.

So, this is your challenge: take a few hours out of every day to put down your phone. Have a face-to-face conversation with someone, do something outside, get more work done because you're not picking up a device every few seconds. Perhaps we may be amazed at how much putting down our phone changes our lives.

#Inspire #Inspiration #Phone #Challenge