After seeing Brad Huddleston (author of Digital Cocaine: A Journey Toward iBalance) speak at a parenting seminar, I have been much more aware of technology’s grasp on my mind. Specifically, I started noticing how my smartphone actually dictated and controlled much of my non-digital activity. For example, I was having trouble sleeping some days. I realized that my trouble sleeping was directly related to how much time I had spent on my phone that evening.
Earlier this year, Janelle and I spoke to the MOPS group at church about this topic (among other things). I have heard from a few families that they have nixed the screen for their kids and seen amazing transformations.
So in May, I decided to go dumb. I ditched my smartphone for a dumbphone. I am actually the youngest people who can remember pre-cell phone days, let alone pre-smartphone days. I got my first cell phone in college. Texting actually didn’t become “a thing” until I was out of college. So, it was a bit easier for me to remember that phones can actually be used for only phone calls. But in an effort to still “be in the world but not of it” I chose a phone and phone plan that still allows me to text. I also got a little bit of data because apparently, that is needed to get pictures through text.
Here is what I have noticed of the past month…
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I paid $9 for my cell phone service last month. How much are you paying?
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When I get home, I put my phone down on the counter and do the craziest thing: I pay attention to my wife and kids.
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I forgot that Facebook exists. (Check out the “Facebook Eradicator” extension for Chrome and Firefox if you still must use the platform for work. I use it. It is awesome.)
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I read my Bible, the actual paper one, more than I used to. But don’t get me wrong, it is nice to have those search functions on your phone. But when I need it, I use a computer for that.
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I take fewer pictures…and no one cares…Including me. For some reason, we think that we must have every second of our lives recorded. In reality, God gave us a pretty decent way to remember things. It’s called “your memory”. When my son won his archery tournament in June (shameless dad brag), I was standing there cheering for him, watching him with my own eyes instead of viewing him on my screen trying to keep him in frame.
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The people who really “need” me still get in touch with me. My men’s group. My family. My close friends. I haven’t missed a beat with them. My smartphone was not helping me connect with the people God has placed in my life to be a part of my ministry and discipleship. All the smartphone did was add to the social noise and distracted from actually ministering and being discipled.
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It is okay to check/return work emails only at work. If you need me right away, call me.
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My phone doesn’t do emojis. So I get lots of little squares every time someone uses them. But that’s okay. I just assume their response is the one I wanted.
That’s quite a bit to uncover in a month. I still connect with a few people on Facebook Messenger (on my computer). I have a fitness group and a worship leader group that I check in with from time to time on Facebook (on my computer). But I have found that even those are much fewer than when I had a smartphone.
There is a great book by Tony Reinke entitled 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You. (There may even be a copy in the church library.) Read it. This is not just a “teenager issue”. Scripture encourages us to not be drunk because it is the Spirit that should be controlling us and not something else (Ephesians 5:18). Many people have no problem abstaining from alcohol for this reason. I would encourage you to take some time to see if something else, like your phone, is actually controlling or dictating your life choices. It was for me.