Smartphones are everywhere. They have become an extension of us; we eat, drink, sleep next to them, and they are hardly ever out of an arms' reach. We have never been so connected to the world in such a manner. Distance is absolutely a non-issue between human connections whether it is for relations or business. But, underlying all the fascinating world of Internet and the advantage of connectivity, we are putting certain basic aspects of our lives at risk.
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 Privacy
The most obvious human right that we gift the Internet is our privacy. With geo-tagging, check-ins, GPS apps, social media tagging, we lay bare our private lives to the eyes of friends, acquaintances and if not careful, the general public. Companies are working on "presence technology", detecting mobile phones and other devices we use, to know where we are and at what time, so as to push relevant data for better business. That can be quite intrusive. Each time we surf the Internet, post photos or status with tagging or search for data or information, we leave a footprint. And we have companies that are continuously working on this footprint analysis. Ever notice the content of ads that we while we surf? This innocuous little thing really presents a bigger security risk.
 Reality Disconnect
Whilst we stay connected to the world via our smartphones, we tend to stay disparate from the immediate happening world around us. Social networking sites, WhatsApp and other apps that are supposed to bond us to friends and family, actually allow us to assume a persona that isn't just us. We have a choice to override our "real" selves and project ourselves, as we seem fit. With texting and chatting, the gratification is instant. And we automatically get hooked to the phone, rather than look up and pay attention to what is transpiring around and to us.
 Concentration, Focus
With the Internet being readily available on our hand held device, we exhibit hastiness and impatience in our interactions with humans, animals, devices. Anything that requires a little patience is a chore. Books and other slower learning methods are reserved for academics and art. Why? Because when we surf, we don't tend to read, rather we scan. We flit from one internet site to another, chat, listen to music, check email, check on Facebook and Twitter, answer the phone - all at the same time. Multitasking is actually a reduction of concentration because all that we are really doing is switching between tasks quickly. It builds stress and we experience fatigue. Consequently, focus erodes and efficiency is compromised.Â
Curiosity, Learning
We use the Internet to satiate our curiosity, not to whet it. When we don't know something, we quickly "google". Sometimes, we don't even have to type out what exactly! Relying on GPS, we go to locations unknown. We don't bother to stop and ask for directions. Doing this and interacting with humans for directions is actually an exercise for the brain. Many of us hardly have more than 2 or 3 phone number memorized. Why bother? When was the last time we referred to a dictionary or an encyclopedia? Referring helps learning, because we will stumble on stuff that we didn't know existed. When we look for the meaning of a word, we are sure to learn another word or two by referring a dictionary vis-a-vis the Internet. Bring out your encyclopedias; they will teach you a thing or two more than what you wanted to learn.Â
 Literature, Poetry
Yes, a lot of books are now published digitally. Yes, self-publishing is encouraging writers. Yes, people are reading like never before. And to that effect, newspaper circulations are declining. But for literature to flourish, the writer needs to be a serious and prolific reader. Good reading means comprehension and contemplation. Being able to appreciate the play of words. To write in such a manner is art. And to be able to understand art, we need to give ourselves time to be "present" to it. And unless the audience sets aside time to read, critically and for comprehension, literature and poetry will die a slow death.
 Childhood
Childhood is incomplete without getting dirty. Children need to play with sand, mud, stones and sticks. Walking, running, cycling and team playing activities - all these have a physical appeal of senses. When children sit with smartphones to check out photos, videos, YouTube and video games, we make way for a dormant lifestyle. With that, obesity and a host of other medical problems. Yes, digital video games have value to offer in the areas of decision-making and cognitive learning. But they cannot substitute the way children learn from sight, touch, smell, taste and experience. Growing up, children need to have attention skills and concentration abilities to be able to ignore distractions and succeed in life. Smartphones and other devices are finally tools to be used.
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The problem isn't really the usage of smartphone. It is the way we use it and for what purpose. Instant gratification, multi tasking and letting the devices take over functions of the human brain that we are naturally equipped to do. Learn to disconnect for some part of the day, daily. Watch your productivity rise and your abilities develop when you do that.
Â
 Privacy
The most obvious human right that we gift the Internet is our privacy. With geo-tagging, check-ins, GPS apps, social media tagging, we lay bare our private lives to the eyes of friends, acquaintances and if not careful, the general public. Companies are working on "presence technology", detecting mobile phones and other devices we use, to know where we are and at what time, so as to push relevant data for better business. That can be quite intrusive. Each time we surf the Internet, post photos or status with tagging or search for data or information, we leave a footprint. And we have companies that are continuously working on this footprint analysis. Ever notice the content of ads that we while we surf? This innocuous little thing really presents a bigger security risk.
 Reality Disconnect
Whilst we stay connected to the world via our smartphones, we tend to stay disparate from the immediate happening world around us. Social networking sites, WhatsApp and other apps that are supposed to bond us to friends and family, actually allow us to assume a persona that isn't just us. We have a choice to override our "real" selves and project ourselves, as we seem fit. With texting and chatting, the gratification is instant. And we automatically get hooked to the phone, rather than look up and pay attention to what is transpiring around and to us.
 Concentration, Focus
With the Internet being readily available on our hand held device, we exhibit hastiness and impatience in our interactions with humans, animals, devices. Anything that requires a little patience is a chore. Books and other slower learning methods are reserved for academics and art. Why? Because when we surf, we don't tend to read, rather we scan. We flit from one internet site to another, chat, listen to music, check email, check on Facebook and Twitter, answer the phone - all at the same time. Multitasking is actually a reduction of concentration because all that we are really doing is switching between tasks quickly. It builds stress and we experience fatigue. Consequently, focus erodes and efficiency is compromised.Â
Curiosity, Learning
We use the Internet to satiate our curiosity, not to whet it. When we don't know something, we quickly "google". Sometimes, we don't even have to type out what exactly! Relying on GPS, we go to locations unknown. We don't bother to stop and ask for directions. Doing this and interacting with humans for directions is actually an exercise for the brain. Many of us hardly have more than 2 or 3 phone number memorized. Why bother? When was the last time we referred to a dictionary or an encyclopedia? Referring helps learning, because we will stumble on stuff that we didn't know existed. When we look for the meaning of a word, we are sure to learn another word or two by referring a dictionary vis-a-vis the Internet. Bring out your encyclopedias; they will teach you a thing or two more than what you wanted to learn.Â
 Literature, Poetry
Yes, a lot of books are now published digitally. Yes, self-publishing is encouraging writers. Yes, people are reading like never before. And to that effect, newspaper circulations are declining. But for literature to flourish, the writer needs to be a serious and prolific reader. Good reading means comprehension and contemplation. Being able to appreciate the play of words. To write in such a manner is art. And to be able to understand art, we need to give ourselves time to be "present" to it. And unless the audience sets aside time to read, critically and for comprehension, literature and poetry will die a slow death.
 Childhood
Childhood is incomplete without getting dirty. Children need to play with sand, mud, stones and sticks. Walking, running, cycling and team playing activities - all these have a physical appeal of senses. When children sit with smartphones to check out photos, videos, YouTube and video games, we make way for a dormant lifestyle. With that, obesity and a host of other medical problems. Yes, digital video games have value to offer in the areas of decision-making and cognitive learning. But they cannot substitute the way children learn from sight, touch, smell, taste and experience. Growing up, children need to have attention skills and concentration abilities to be able to ignore distractions and succeed in life. Smartphones and other devices are finally tools to be used.
Â
The problem isn't really the usage of smartphone. It is the way we use it and for what purpose. Instant gratification, multi tasking and letting the devices take over functions of the human brain that we are naturally equipped to do. Learn to disconnect for some part of the day, daily. Watch your productivity rise and your abilities develop when you do that.