Ignore That Smartphone!

[JoGee]

Smartphones make it easy to socialize and search the Internet, but the ability to constantly connect May have a downside.
A new study of 500 college students found that those who use their cellphones most often are likely to be less happy, more anxious,and less successful students than those who sometimes ignore them.

"There is no 'me' time or solitude left in some of those students' lives," Kent State University researcher Andrew Lepp tells The Daily Mail (U.k.)

[JoGee]

Smartphones! We know there are texting-while-driving causes accidents. Many states fine the drivers who obviously have this problem. Some people talking on their cell phones while driving don't have their mind on the road either.....you can tell because they may slow way down, or nearly sit on the bumper ahead; some swerve within their lane, drive over the road lines, or take up 2 lanes in swerving. But their attention is definitely not on the road, which puts everyone else around them in a dangerous position.

It's gone further now. E says some state (I forget which one) plans on passing laws about texting while walking. They walk into people, trip, step in the way of traffic, you name it. They too endanger themselves and others.
(Personally, I see where just talking on their phones - not just texting - separates their mind from paying attention to anything around them. Have you been a hit-and-run victim in a grocery store? I certainly have, and they keep talking and going without so much as an apology!).

There was a test, a large group of people watching a ball game. Half the group was watching one team, the other group watching the other team; they were instructed to see how many players would do a particular thing while playing. During the game, somebody dressed in a gorilla suit walked past the screen ---- and NOBODY NOTICED!
Your mind is in that same situation when texting or talking on the cell phone!!!

I see some drivers pulling off the road to take calls now, that's a good thing. They may ask pedestrians to stop and stand aside when taking calls or texts.
I now have a car that picks up my phone when it rings while driving. It's usually one of my kids. I tell them I'm driving, there's no place nearby to stop, and traffic is heavy. Can I call back when I get to my destination (or home) ?
As much as I hate to put them off, I don't want to endanger anyone.
I see far too many intersections with broken windshield glass and maybe a forgotten car part scattered in the street.

[Paula A]

In California it is a fine of 169.00 to even Hold your cell phone! The first time I saw the electronic sign across the highway that said Do not text and drive, I about drove off the road. I can't imagine trying to text and drive. (I am not a good fast texter).
Sometimes, I just have to leave the cell in another room so I wont see all the messages coming in and constantly getting distracted.