It feels like social media is taking over the world. The first thing most of us do when we wake up is check our phones (I’m guilty of that myself on most days!) I think we’ve all become a bit obsessed with our phones…people waiting in line overnight for the latest iPhone…is that really necessary? But during my recent vacation is when I realized how connected everyone really is. We were visiting Venice and the Greek Islands (more of that to come soon), and I was amazed at the number of people who were on their phones…EVERYWHERE WE WENT!
We ‘d be having dinner and would hear people asking the waiters to take photos of them and then asking if the restaurant had Wi-Fi, so that they could immediately post the photos on Facebook and Instagram. Then you would hear others complaining that their battery had run out. I also witnessed business owners requesting customers to post positive reviews on Tripadvisor and to like their Facebook pages.
Something else that I was surprised at was the amount of people who have substituted their phones for their cameras. Places like Venice and Santorini are a photographer’s dream. I couldn’t imagine just relying on my camera’s phone for pictures. But of course, by using your phone, you can immediately post them on social media, and show everyone what a wonderful time you’re having. I have been traveling for years and I remember the days when everyone carried all types of cameras (I still travel with two, just in case). I rarely see people with cameras anymore.
Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned, but I feel that being on your phone all day when you’re on vacation is ridiculous. Shame on the adults that were acting this way, as our kids take a lot of their cues from us. We told our daughter that she was visiting these gorgeous places to learn and enjoy and spend quality family time. She brought her phone on the trip, but she didn’t use it during the day. And I did post a few photos to my Facebook account, but usually at the end of the day, as we only relied on the hotel’s Wi-Fi in the evenings.
I know the internet is wonderful for many things, as is social media, especially when promoting awareness of serious issues, or even just keeping up with friends. But could we please teach our kids to limit some of this phone time? Technology is the worst time sucker and distractor from the joys of real life. Encourage them to play outside, read a book or engage in a family board game. Kids today are constantly on their phones and they take them everywhere. I know it’s not easy, as a parent of a teenager myself, I know it’s difficult to get them interested in other things. And everyday there are more sites to subscribe to…Vine, Snapchat, Ask.FM, WhatsApp, etc. For those of you with young tweens and teens, I encourage you to randomly check your children’s accounts. We all know how bad peer pressure can be, especially with Instagram, and the battle they face with how many people “like” their photo.
I do enjoy social media (how else would I pen my blog?) Facebook has given me an oppurtunity to reconnect with childhood friends, that truthfully, I would have probably never heard from again. But I do think there are limits, and I just sometimes wonder if we as a society, have forgotten what those limits are. (Click here to watch a great clip of what I’m referring to).
How do you feel about social media? How long would you last without your cell phone?
Listen2Mama 
I agree social media and phones have taken over our daily lives and there should be times where we just enjoy the moments rather than trying to tweet and facebook them, but I don’t see this trend of posting about everything slowing down anytime soon.
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Me either 😦
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I never wake up and check my phone immediately. I limit what I do with my phone actually. I was at the park with my youngest and looked around at all the parents that were missing out on fun time with their kids and I vowed to NEVER let that be me. The most I will post is 1 photo an hour and I usually wait until we are done with the activity to post at all.
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As someone who is totally obsessed with Instagraming everything, I do tone it down a lot while I am on vacation. I might take lots of pics, but sit down later to IG them all.
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I think there are definitely positives and negatives to social media. I love how easy it is to promote things with social media, but I hate how easy it is to get in the middle of “drama” with it, too! As for my phone…I don’t know…I probably couldn’t go very long without it LOL
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I’m completely attached to my phone. I use it a lot for work so it at least pays for itself but I do spend more time on social media than I would like.
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I am on Facebook a lot but I haven’t really got my head around all the others – I have always been a late comer to most of them so I guess that’s why in some ways. x
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I couldn’t agree more. I look around everyone has their heads down. Be with the people you’re with!
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Sigh.. I’m addicted. I will admit it. I wake up and grab my phone.. of course becoming a blogger has me more obsessed!
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I also try to limit my availability with social media as it’s difficult to get used to being always online. Sometimes, we really have to take time to do more important stuff.
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I feel so lucky that this is a problem that I don’t have to deal with. My kids are both grown and married and when they were younger we didn’t have the smart phones like today (or the tablets etc.). We had one computer (actually the one I am using now) and it sat in the living room where I could monitor what they were doing and how much time they were spending on it. We had a one hour limit in our house but today that would be so much harder to enforce!
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I do like to go away and un plug, but having the phone with the camera is very convenient.. i would take a faster pic with my phone then with a camera.. but the quality on the camera is typically much better then the phones..
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This is so true! I need to take it down a notch. I have when it comes to Instagram, but I am obsessing over twitter lately. Luckily not much when my kids are around!
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I agree completely! Social media can be great but it can also be a hindrance that makes us feel LESS connected then connected. i have taken a social media break in the past and i think im going to do it again very soon. Great post!
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I totally agree with you but it’s way easier said than done (she writes from her hotel room on vacation, sigh) …
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I do agree people do spend to much time on their phones. Really, if you are out having dinner with someone you should focus all your time on them! Seeing a person looking at their phone when there is a real live person in front of them is just crazy to me! Now, saying that I do spend a lot of time on social media myself but not when I am with other people. I don’t think I would last very long with my phone. 🙂
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Moderation is key for everything in life. I think because I work from home and social media is something that drives my business, I spend a little more time on it than most moms do. There’s really nothing going on with my personal accounts, most of it is business networking groups.
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I totally hear you! I want to try and go Facebook-Free on Fridays…. but how will I partake in my SM threads for blogging lol! I’m in a dilemma 🙂
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They have absolutely taken over our lives and it is so difficult to quit the addiction. I can keep it out of hand when talking to other adults or having dinner. But when my kid is sitting there spending 20 minutes eating blueberries I can’t help but pull it out and mindlessly scroll through Facebook. It’s bad. I know I need to stop.
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I agree with you, but I have to admit sometimes it is hard.
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I agree. We went of a small trip a few weeks back and when I got home I realized I hadn’t posted anything to Facebook. Several family members were upset but I allI could think of was I had the best time.
my favorite saying right now is “That awkward moment you realized you haven’t posted anything to social media because you have been too busy living in the moment”
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I love taking pictures of restaurant foods before I actually eat them. Sometimes I get shy because people look at our table. But now I really don’t care! I need to make a photobook albums for our trips too. I don’t always post them on social medias (I actually don’t use my phone when I’m not home)! It’s really just for the album, scrapbook and other things for my guests eyes only. LOL!
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I love social media and I feel a bit out of touch if I am not connected for a while, but I do take a break… I try to make Sundays a family day and hardly ever look at my phone or tablet.
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For me, social media is a time suck. If I didn’t need it for my business, I would get rid of it!
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I agree about moderation. If I went to Greece, I would definitely grab my camera over my phone!
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I spend so much time on the computer lately! It is starting to make me moody!
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Personally I don’t really use my cell phone that much. I use it more for a camera these days, but I do agree with what you’re saying.
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I try to keep a distance from my phone at home so it’s not attached to my hip. Sometimes we all need a break from modern technology. It is too convenient on vacations though, even when we take our actual camera we’ll forget to use it because the phone is quicker!
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I do get up an extra 30 minutes to check my facebook and blog. But I don’t have a cell phone. Great read.
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Living abroad, I’ve been without my cell phone for almost two months. It has been SO refreshing that I can only connect to social media when I’m connected to wifi – which keeps me so much more in the moment when I’m wandering about. It is so nice!
Cheers!
JoAnna
foreverinparadise.net
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Everyone around me always has their nose in an electronic, I would much rather see someone with their nose in a book.
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I like to use my camera phone as I pair down on trips so I can cover more distance every day. I take tons of pictures but usually wait until I get home to post the pictures. I don’t want to invite anyne to my house when I am not there.
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I regularly schedule sabbaticals from social media. It helps to keep me focused and connected to my friends and family.
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I agree, that we do need a break every once in a while. When I try to take a break, I am amazed at how hard it actually is for me. I need to unplug more!
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I never used to be a huge fan of social media, but recently I’ve really enjoyed scrolling through Instagram and looking at all the great pictures my friends post. But if i was out on vacation, I’m pretty sure I would put the phone down and enjoy myself.
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I agree which is why I’ve been trying to unplug more on the weekend. I need a break from all the technology.
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we actually have a strict no-electronics day when I say so! 😉 no one knows when it’s coming, no one can plan for it…and yes at first they freak out, but in the end, they all look back and say, that was a really find day! 😉 So- last without my phone- yup! I can do it!
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I completely agree with you. Breaks are very much needed!
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I recently went on a trip to Antigua and decided not to use my phone until I got back to the states. I have to say that it was very difficult the first few days. I think we get so used to the technology and having the world at our fingertips that sometimes we don’t take the time to savor the experience.
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I’ve begun planning a trip for my family. I plan on NOT using my phone and social media while I’m there. Blog and all–I’m going unplugged. :-s
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Good for you, you can do it!
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I’ll admit that I’m one of those that are connected to social media at the hip. But it’s how I stay in touch daily with quite a few people, keep up on current events & even work.
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I totally agree with this. Social media can get overwhelming sometimes.
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So true. I get’s suffocated with social media at times.
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That should be “get,” sorry.
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I agree, it’s nice to have a break from it. It’s everywhere and can take so much time of the day. It’s definitely entertaining though. Sometimes I have to hold myself back!
http://www.Fashionabella.com
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I agree, but it is so hard to put down sometimes.
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I use my phone as a camera, even on vacation. I do notice that I disconnect from social media until the end of the day while on vacation. Balance is key 😛
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I am guilty of checking my phone before i even get out of bed in the morning. Our family have always had a no phones at the table rule. I think i would get used to not having my phone after a few days.
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I make a point of not checking my social media until after work. My phone is the last thing on my mind in the morning.
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I would last a long time without my cell phone…but not my iPad, lol. I am not that into social media other than for business. I check facebook once a day and that is enough for me.
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We just recently implemented that Sunday’s would be a no technology day for us. No cell phones, nothing! So I know I can last an entire day.
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I agree with you on that there is too much. But I disagree with you on the camera issue. I think people should record their memories in the manner that works for them. Lugging around a big camera is a pain.
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