Cell Phone Disconnect @ SKHS

“All of these devices have been created to be constantly connected, but I see kids more disconnected from reality than ever in my classes.”

These words are the sentiment of long-time South Kingstown High School teacher John O’Malley, a school-wide treasure who openly admits that even he cannot retain the attention of many of his students. These days O’Malley and many others believe that this disconnection is the result of constant cellphone use.

According to the Pew Research Center, 64 percent of Americans now own a smartphone, a 31 percent increase since 2011. This jump may be due to the growing cultural stigma that the newest smartphone is a necessity.

“It creates the idea that cell phones are the coolest things since sliced bread,” O’Malley explained. “As a result, there is an illusion that if you have a cell phone, your life is going to be SO much better.”

It is not just the old and wise O’Malley who believes that there are big problems associated with the growing smart phone obsession in this country.

Senior Ivy League baseball commit Liam McGill also sees the issues with Social Media and Cell Phone culture. McGill is the perfect example of a busy student and athlete who needs to have intense focus in two areas of his life, yet at times he said he finds himself dwindling away precious minutes playing games or scrolling through feeds.

“Overall, I wish smartphones didn’t exist because they distract me from what other great things life has to offer,” McGill said.

Distraction is a huge issue for students, with the countless apps and social media outlets just a touch away.

“It’s very easy to turn to a game or Instagram when I’m trying to focus on work,” honors student and super-fan Logan Leonard said.

The issue with cell phone use is not limited to just distraction from schoolwork, however. Many believe that the way we communicate online hinders the way we communicate face-to-face.

In a recent study conducted by PEW Research Center, it was found that 82 percent of participants said that cell phone use hurts or kills conversation, yet 43 percent said that they frequently use their cell phones in conversation.

These numbers make little sense on the surface, but digging a little deeper may reveal a simple answer as to why people think cell phones are a drawback in face-to-face communication. Many say that is because cell phones are constantly present and hold so much information due to the power of the internet that, in any dull moment, people can turn to phones for stimulation.

Some experts conclude such constant need for stimulation even appears to diminish a person’s senses and life experiences.

“I think it’s sort of eating away at the poetic in life, the romantic,” O’Malley lamented. “When people have to deal with heartbreak, with failure, they can disconnect through their phone.”

O’Malley and others believe kids today are not experiencing life with the same emotion as past generations, and this may be making our generation “less human.”

O’Malley said he constantly sees students shutting themselves off to real life interaction.

“Kids are endlessly distracting themselves from sensual communication,” the social studies teacher said. “An awful lot of young people use their cell phone like its part of their body — they don’t look at people, they don’t hear people.”

The basic concept of ‘looking down’ has led O’Malley to the hypothesis that cell phones may be dumbing humans down.

“By constantly looking at the phone, you’re not incorporating the sensual stimulus that has allowed our brains to grow over the centuries,” he said.

Cell phones will certainly continue to be questioned as they become more and more integral in youth culture, and even O’Malley is the first to admit there are great things about them.

“The phone is an amazing way to mass communicate and gather information,” said O’Malley, “but I don’t see the need for the constant usage.”

“I think that’s what makes us human, our interactions and relationships with others,” O’Malley stated.

“The point of the cell phone is that it enhances these relationships,” he added. “It is our responsibility to make sure it does not weaken them.”