Face-to-face social interactions are declining as texting, scrolling and social media use rise, leaving personal interactions at a loss.
Distractions come from all aspects of life, but devices can cause a disturbance that pulls one away from everyday relationships and achievements throwing off the of balance between their personal and social life.
“If we are focused too much on school or work and not finding time for our friends and family, then our relationships are going to suffer,” Emma Davis, Ozark-based licensed professional counselor said. “People might feel like we don’t have time for them. Balance is essential to feel like all areas of your life are working optimally and bringing you joy and fulfillment.”
Adding structure to one’s day can help combat the desire to be sucked into a phone and instead focus the attention on what is important, Davis said.
“When we know what to expect we tend to feel more calm and more in control,” Davis said. “This often helps us achieve this balance we are all looking for.
“Devise a routine that works for your specific needs.”
As students graduate, attend college and join the workforce, the idea of maintaining a healthy balance with their devices remains relevant. Nixa High School graduate Chloe Fischer started attending the University of Missouri Kansas City in August of 2024. Fischer said moving away collided with her route to discovering a healthy middle ground with her phone.
“Right now in college, it really impacts my balance,” Fischer said. ”Because when I’m having alone time, I’m drawn to be on my phone because all of the people are texting and calling me now rather than hanging out in person.”
To maintain a healthy distance from one’s device, Fischer said it takes discipline to achieve that focus.
“I have to make sure that when I’m opening up my phone or my computer, I’m doing something very specific,” Fischer said. “You kind of have to train yourself not to get distracted by notifications.”
In recent years, devices have been implemented more into everyday work. Starting a job, as a student or not, can heighten the use of devices, making a balance more difficult to reach.
“As you grow and become more of an adult,” Fischer said, “especially in the workforce, devices have become something that people rely on to work as well as to become social. So it creates even more of an imbalance in work and social life because you are using your device for both things.”
Not only can devices lead to distractions, but they can also be misused to interfere with other’s lives.
“A lot of people act worse when they have their phones,” freshman Scarlett Mahy said. “They feel like they need to take a picture of something or post it somewhere and share it with a lot of people when it could stay private.”
Schoolwork can be hard to prioritize in a student’s life when it interferes with their social lives.
“I put off stuff because I have my phone,” Mahy said. “I find something else better I want to do on there, so I don’t do what I’m supposed to be doing.”
It can be difficult to hit the pause button on one’s personal life, but putting down diversions such as a phone can be a starting point.
“When the social life is blocking off stuff that you need to do and it starts affecting other activities, you need to not be on your phone as much,” Mahy said.
Levels of dopamine are heightened when one gets reliant on their phone. This effect can lead to a higher amount of screen time.
“Everything else you do throughout your day will not even come close to comparing to the amount of dopamine your brain receives while it is on that device,” Davis said. “You may find yourself spending hours a day, that could be going towards making progress on your goals, mindlessly scrolling.”