Smartphone or Smart Strategy?

SMARTPHONE OR SMART STRATEGY?

This is not about the 19th century; this is about the 21st century.

Everyone knows what a mobile phone is because nowadays it feels like a member of our family or a friend.

I know that you already know a lot about phones because teachers, videos, and social media are all about phones and AI. A phone has almost everything you need: a camera, social media, learning tools, and apps like ChatGPT or Google for searching information. Most importantly, it helps people communicate around the world.

Everything in this world has advantages and disadvantages even people, so phones also have both.

To understand this better, we can look at history. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone (wired phone). Its purpose was to allow people to talk over long distances. Before that, people had to send letters, which took a long time to arrive. Today, one smartphone can include more than 40 apps or even more.

I will not talk about pros and cons because they are already very common in articles. Instead, I will focus on field research and internet research.

Field Research

To be honest, it was difficult to choose who I should interview for my research. After thinking carefully, I chose three people from different age groups:

• My grandmother

• My aunt

• My cousin

Research Questions:

First, I interviewed my grandmother, who is 72 years old. She has lived in two different times—one without phones and the other with smartphones. This makes her opinion very valuable because she can compare life in both periods.

She once said: “At first, madness, then alienation.” This is an idiom in Afghanistan. It means that at first, phones make people very busy and distracted, and later they feel disconnected from others. She also believes that in the past, people were more social and active, but today many people are more introverted and focused on their phones. Even important moments like birthdays or condolences are often shared through messages instead of real in person communication.

Second, I interviewed my aunt, who is 25 years old. As an adult, she uses her phone every day. Her opinion shows how smartphones affect work and daily life. For example, she uses Pinterest to find home decoration ideas while her house is under construction.

Finally, I interviewed my cousin, who is 10 years old. As a child growing up with technology, his experience is different. He prefers playing games instead of studying, or he uses YouTube and ChatGPT for learning instead of asking his teacher.

This graph shows that people have different personalities and different likes. It also shows how much people like technology and how much they prefer not to use it.

Some people really like technology and use it a lot in their daily life. Some people do not like it much and prefer a simple life without too much technology.

There is also a group of people who use technology sometimes, but not all the time.

In general, the graph shows that everyone is different in how they live and how they use technology.

Internet Research: Phones and Mental Health

Research shows that between 2010 and 2015,teenagers experienced more emotional problems compared to older generations. Many felt sad, unmotivated, or unhappy with their lives.

One major reason is not necessarily their home life, but excessive use of smartphones and social media.

The brain is very sensitive to social interaction. When people receive likes or positive comments, they feel accepted. But when they are ignored or see others living “better lives” online, they may feel jealousy or comparison. This can affect mental health, especially in teenagers aged 12 to 18.

And honestly?

Even many teenagers feel useless because they struggle to accept their life and circumstances, which can be very difficult for them.

Also, I found that around 47% of people experience blurred vision because they use their phones in dark or very bright conditions. I read this research from The Guardian, and it helped me learn new things about how technology affects us, especially teenagers and how we react mentally in different situations.

I also discussed this topic with my uncle and my friend. They said that using AI or smartphones too much can make our thinking shorter or less focused. They also mentioned that charging and using phones for long hours can lead to negative effects on our health and habits.

My Opinion

Right now, apps like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are very popular. Children do not play outside like before. They do not laugh and run in parks or playgrounds as much. Instead, many of them sit quietly and scroll on their phones for hours without noticing the time.

Technology is not the enemy. Smartphones have made life easier. We can learn faster, communicate instantly, and explore the world from home.

During COVID-19, people stayed at home and used phones for school, work, and staying connected with others. After that time, phones became even more important in daily life.

However, the real problem is not the phone—it is how we use it.

If we use phones in a good way, they can help us learn and grow. But if we use them too much, they can waste our time, reduce our focus, and even affect our happiness.

We should not let phones control our lives. Instead, we should control how we use them.

For example, we can:

• Spend more time with family and friends in real life

• Play outdoor games and stay active

• Limit screen time

• Use phones for learning, not only entertainment

In the end, life is not inside a screen. Real memories are made outside with real people, real emotions, and real experiences

I did not write this as a book to sell. I wrote it so it is easy for people to read and understand in social media, which people very use it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, smartphones have both good and bad sides. They can help us build a better future, or they can affect our present in a negative way. It depends on how we use them.

That is why we should not only be smartphone users, but also use a smart strategy when using them.

sometimes even older).

Some studies also suggest that excessive screen use may affect eyesight and cause blurred vision, especially when using phones in dark or bright conditions for long periods.

I found this information from sources such as The Guardian, and I also discussed it with my uncle and friends. They also believe that overuse of technology and AI can reduce attention.