Why Do People Always Look At Their Phones?

During a previous career, I spent a number of years commuting into a major city and would, at times, take the train. While observing others, I was always amazed at the complete and utter lack of situational awareness by seemingly 99% of the commuters.

Amidst the sea of commuters, each with their head buried in their phones, I found myself intrigued by their behavior. While I would occasionally read or gaze out the window, they seemed to be in a world of their own, disconnected from the present moment. This contrast in our actions often left Me pondering about the nature of our modern society.

People who pay too much attention to their phones are also vulnerable to theft. “Oftentimes when you interview people who get their phone stolen, when you ask them to describe where the person came from, what he was wearing, they have no idea,” said a police Chief discussing the issue.

One study found that almost half of all pedestrians exhibited dangerous behavior while crossing the street while on their phones. They didn’t look both ways, forcing a car to stop suddenly, swerve, or bump into something.

Since 2004, the number of pedestrians who have been hit and checked into emergency rooms has tripled nationwide because they were distracted by a cell phone.

Approximately 23% of auto collisions involved a cell phone.

With all the types of distracted driving activities, text messaging makes a crash up to 23 times more likely.

It’s not safe to lose situational awareness. Burying your head in a smartphone while driving or otherwise can be a recipe for disaster.

No matter where you are, the environment (inside or outside), or the place, lots and lots of people are looking at their phones. They are in their own little bubble, oblivious.

It’s automatic. Instinctive. A spare moment? Gotta check the phone. Come up to the red light? Time to check the phone. Feeling insecure that there’s a world out there? Time to check the phone. Here a ‘ding’ from the device during a conversation? Time to be rude and immediately check it.But it’s time to take control and be more mindful of our smartphone use.

Maybe some people just aren’t comfortable with themselves or the world around them while out and about. Perhaps they are afraid to look around and take it all in, or of looking someone else in the eye. Or worse yet… to be conversational – to have to speak!

Someone on the blog said, “Young professionals walk head down, looking at their iPhones. They never look in either direction before walking into the street. They believe a driver will see and yield to them even when they walk against the light. I was always amazed that more pedestrians didn’t get flattened.”

Another one said, “These people have no social skills or personality. So they cradle and idolize these devices to give their small, insignificant lives value, meaning, and definition.”

Still another said, “Every time I go out, everyone walks along the street, heads down, on their phone. They don’t care who they bump into; they’re non-apologetic, selfish people. They may as well live inside their phones; they are not living in the real outside world. Nothing outside is important to them.”

Remember these two words, SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.

Learn to enjoy your surroundings. Look around when walking, no matter where you are. See, hear, and experience the real world around you.

Mission Darkness – Cell Phone Faraday Bag
(Made in USA storefront on amzn)

[ Read: Situational Awareness and a 360-degree Mindset ]