Have a look around you right now. How many people are staring into an electronic screen? Scary isn’t it? Even if you’re not at work, chances are most people have their faces glued to a screen. No matter that they’re walking down the street, driving their cars or dining out with friends. For better or worse, people everywhere are hooked on the new opiate of the masses – the bright screens of their smart phones or tablets.
Screenbots EVERYWHERE…
Both here at home in the US and on recent swings through Asia, Europe, India and Canada the immense pull of these attention sucking vortexes has jolted me. I’ve spotted screenbots on vacation in tropical paradises oblivious to family members, others and the splendor around them. All transfixed by the sensual allure of the screen in their hands. Screenbots hanging together in pods in bars, restaurants, and parks riveted to their handhelds. Screenbots in meetings, at conferences and planning sessions…screenbots e v e r y w h e r e.
Screenbot Beginnings: Smart Phones Go Viral.
Like any good and proper global pandemic, this one spread quickly. It all began with the first smart phone in the US which swiftly became sexy hot de rigueur. Heretofore normal human beings were quickly overcome with the intoxicating sensuality of their devices. Soon they and other screenbot brethren could be spotted bumping into each other on the streets and causing traffic chaos all over the globe. Business was hit hard too. Inattention at meetings skyrocketed and productivity went down.
Confessional
I myself am a recovering screenbot, having once too been a bright screen junkie. I recently wrote about this in the Tyranny of Your (Too) Smart Phone. I bravely and gradually reduced my exposure, and soon rediscovered a richness of the world I had lost touch with. It has been an incredibly liberating experience which is precisely why I find this whole pandemic so concerning. Not only do screenbots miss out on the real story around them, they can come across as distant, dismissive and disrespectful in meetings…and in life. They also risk harm to themselves.
Costs and Risks of Screenbots
There are many costs, both personal and to your business from the rise of screenbots. Here are a few:
- Sleep disruption: As if it weren’t bad enough that most people already are getting less sleep than needed for optimal health and functioning, bright screens make this bad situation even worse. Research has demonstrated that nighttime light exposure from your ipad or smartphone suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls sleep and wake cycles. Melatonin tells your body that it is night, helping to make you sleepy and once asleep, stay asleep.
- Damage to your body: Melatonin suppression not only creates havoc with your sleep but also your body. Studies have linked it to increased risk of cancer, impaired immune system function, type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Oi. Time to minimize the bright screen at night.
- Lost productivity at work: How many times have you been to a meeting where someone had their face glued to handheld screen and they seemingly missed much of what was discussed? Thought so. I’ve heard horror stories of people in meetings, including the boss, who pay little attention to anything other than their handheld. This means that material must be reviewed again and again and again. Talk about inefficiency…and disrespect.
- Harm to relationships: Whether at work or at home, your success and happiness relies on your ability to develop relationships with others. If you have your face in a screen all the time you miss out on key opportunities to explore and get to know better those around you, whether they be your spouse, child, colleague or client.
How to Escape from Being a Screenbot
A gradual withdrawl from your sexy device is likely your most successful approach. Here are some tips:
- No computer, video games, cel phone or tablet before bed: begin this by starting with none of these offenders 30 minutes prior to bed. Gradually increase this time period to 2 hours. Think of how much fun you’ll have getting to know your spouse or an actual paperback again.
- Make sure devices are on airplane mode during important meetings. Even better, either have people leave them behind or have them place them on the table, face down.
- Try not using your device for small amounts of time when out and about or with friends and family. Start with small increments of 10-15 minutes and gradually build from there. You will be amazed at the richness of the people and world around you when you are not glued to a screen.
What do you think? Do the risks of having your face in a screen most of the time outweigh the benefits of being more present in the world?
Wow, I can really identify with this article! I work in an office where I am glued to a screen 8hours a day and when I go home I go straight online. Sometimes I joke that I am a slave to the Internet God. Computers are still a very young technology and we are only just beginning to discover their effects on human well being, both psychological and physical. Since I began my desk job I have noticed an increase in my anxiety levels. Thanks for the great article and I would be interested in hearing more suggestions for screenbot liberation.
Hi Cassandra,
It’s often surprising for many of us when we notice just how much time we spend in front of a screen and just how dependent we are on it. Again, I think that the most successful way to escape the clutches of your bright screens is to do so gradually. Whether it be prior to bedtime or anytime during the day that you might otherwise be staring into a screen…simply put it down or turn it off for awhile. Immediately turn your attention to something else, a book, newspaper or the environment around you – people, nature, action – whatever. At first, this will be tough…very tough. With concerted effort though, the more you begin paying attention to other things, the less powerful will be the allure of your bright screens. The idea is to create new competing habits. So instead, for example, of looking at a bright screen on your way to work on the bus, make a rule that you’ll only look a book or magazing while in transit. Over time, as you build competing habits, your escape from the grips of bright screens will loosen.