12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You

1. Smartphones amplify our addiction to distractions and fragment our sense of time

We check our smartphones about 81,500 times each year, or once every 4.3 minutes of our waking lives, which means you will be tempted to check your phone three times before you finish this chapter.

Constant connectivity has become the norm in our digital age. Our smartphones consolidate our entire lives - calendars, cameras, work, entertainment, and communication - into one powerful device. This convenience comes at a cost: our attention spans are increasingly fragmented, and we struggle to focus on tasks or engage in deep thinking.

The "now" culture promoted by smartphones affects our perception of time. We're constantly pulled into the present moment, losing our sense of historical context and future planning. This fragmentation can lead to:

• Difficulty in completing long-term projects
• Reduced ability to engage in deep, meaningful conversations
• Increased stress and anxiety from constant interruptions
• Neglect of important but non-urgent tasks

2. Our devices push us to ignore physical limitations and treat others harshly

We are quick to believe the lie that we can simultaneously live a divided existence, engaging our phones while neglecting others.

Digital disembodiment occurs when we prioritize our online presence over our physical reality. This shift can lead to:

• Neglecting face-to-face relationships
• Increased risk-taking behaviors (e.g., texting while driving)
• Diminished empathy in our interactions

Online disinhibition is the tendency to be harsher or more aggressive in digital communications than we would be in person. This phenomenon is fueled by:

• Perceived anonymity
• Lack of immediate consequences
• Absence of non-verbal cues that typically moderate our behavior

To combat these tendencies, we must intentionally prioritize embodied experiences and practice empathy in our digital interactions.

3. Smartphones feed our craving for immediate approval and fear of missing out

FOMO is neither unique nor modern. It predates the acronym coined in 2004, it predates WiFi, and it predates our smartphones. FOMO is an ancient phobia with a history that reaches back far before we started using our opposable thumbs to text one another gossip.

The approval addiction is amplified by social media platforms that provide instant feedback through likes, shares, and comments. This constant validation seeking can lead to:

• Increased anxiety and depression
• A distorted sense of self-worth
• Neglect of real-world accomplishments and relationships

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is exacerbated by the constant stream of information and social updates on our phones. This fear can manifest as:

• Compulsive checking of devices
• Difficulty being present in the moment
• Feelings of inadequacy or dissatisfaction with one's own life

To address these issues, we must cultivate contentment, practice gratitude, and find our worth in more stable sources than digital approval.

4. Our phones undermine key literary skills and make finding ultimate meaning difficult

Digital reading is unnecessarily hurried, and this habit bleeds into how we read our Bibles.

Declining literacy is a concerning trend in the smartphone age. The constant stream of bite-sized information encourages:

• Skimming rather than deep reading
• Decreased attention spans
• Difficulty engaging with longer, more complex texts

Loss of meaning occurs when we're constantly bombarded with information without the time or skills to process it deeply. This can lead to:

• Superficial understanding of complex issues
• Difficulty in discerning truth from misinformation
• A sense of disconnection from larger narratives and purpose

To counteract these effects, we must intentionally cultivate deep reading habits, engage in focused study, and seek out meaningful content that aligns with our values and beliefs.

5. Smartphones offer a buffet of media and tempt us toward visual vices

On our phones, we have high-definition portals into the vast beauties and glories of creation, but every message we receive has been cut, edited, and produced for a purpose.

Media overload is a constant challenge in the smartphone age. We're presented with:

• Endless streams of images, videos, and articles
• Carefully curated content designed to capture our attention
• A mix of enriching and potentially harmful material

Visual temptations are more accessible than ever before. This easy access can lead to:

• Addiction to pornography and other visual stimuli
• Decreased satisfaction with real-world experiences
• Warped perceptions of beauty, relationships, and sexuality

To navigate this media landscape, we must develop discernment, set healthy boundaries, and cultivate an appreciation for the unseen and eternal aspects of life.

6. Our devices distort our identity and lead to unhealthy isolation

We are mirrors. And so the whole metaphor of the human being—reflecting its environment, reflecting its context, reflecting its idols, reflecting its gods—is absolutely core, from the beginning to the end of the canon [of Scripture]. What we call worship—worshiping God faithfully and truly—is also a matter of our identity. That is what we are created for. That is who we are.

Identity distortion occurs when we allow our online personas to define us. This can result in:

• A disconnect between our true selves and our curated online image
• Increased anxiety about maintaining a perfect digital presence
• Loss of authenticity in relationships

Digital isolation is a paradoxical effect of constant connectivity. Despite being more "connected" than ever, many people experience:

• Decreased quality of face-to-face interactions
• Feelings of loneliness and disconnection
• Difficulty in forming deep, meaningful relationships

To combat these issues, we must intentionally cultivate our true identity rooted in Christ and prioritize genuine, embodied relationships over digital connections.

7. The Christian's challenge: Balancing smartphone use with spiritual priorities

Our greatest need in the digital age is to behold the glory of the unseen Christ in the faint blue glow of our pixelated Bibles.

Spiritual disciplines are often neglected in favor of digital distractions. Christians must prioritize:

• Regular Bible reading and study
• Consistent prayer and meditation
• Worship and fellowship with other believers

Digital discernment is crucial for maintaining spiritual health. This involves:

• Evaluating our smartphone use in light of biblical principles
• Setting boundaries to protect our spiritual lives
• Using technology as a tool for growth rather than a distraction

To maintain spiritual vitality in the digital age, we must be intentional about our use of technology and ensure it serves our higher purpose rather than becoming an idol.

8. Practical strategies for healthier smartphone habits and digital detox

To benefit from my phone, I must not use all of the features all of the time.

Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with our smartphones. Some practical strategies include:

• Turning off non-essential notifications
• Designating phone-free times and spaces (e.g., during meals, in the bedroom)
• Using apps that limit screen time or block distracting content

Digital detox periods can help reset our relationship with technology. Consider:

• Regular "tech Sabbaths" (e.g., one day per week without smartphones)
• Longer periods of digital fasting (e.g., a week or month)
• Gradually reducing dependence on certain apps or features

By implementing these strategies, we can regain control over our devices and ensure they enhance rather than detract from our lives.

9. Remembering our place in God's timeline amidst digital fragmentation

Christ inaugurated time, he now upholds time, and he has the sovereign power to unroll the events that will end time.

Eternal perspective is easily lost in the constant flow of digital information. To maintain this perspective:

• Regularly engage with Scripture and its grand narrative
• Practice remembering God's faithfulness in your life
• Cultivate a sense of your place in God's ongoing story

Intentional remembrance counters the forgetfulness encouraged by our digital culture. This can involve:

• Journaling to record God's work in your life
• Celebrating milestones and anniversaries of faith
• Sharing testimonies with others to reinforce God's faithfulness

By anchoring ourselves in God's timeline, we can resist the fragmentation of our digital age and live with purpose and meaning.

Last updated: August 11, 2024