Offline: Still Connected

Disconnect to Connect.

You may have heard this phrase a lot of times already. Me, too. But I never put that much thought into it, until now.

This phrase has been prevalent specially in times right now, where technology seemed to be something people can't live without. Well, I kinda agree, but not wholly.

Nowadays, one may not be even surprised when he/she sees a five year-old kid (or even younger) who is more knowledgeable in the basics and more complicated stuff in a cellphone, or other gadgets.

The phrase above reminds us, that even before internet has been born, we all have the ability to connect through different people because we are naturally social beings. Because of internet, some people often forgot spending quality times with the people just around them, and tries to find comfort in the virtual world.

I have thought of the reasons why most of the people spend a lot of time in their phones. The reasons I will indicate below are based on my own opinion only. If you want to get an in-depth, well-supported information, you are very free to have your own research.

As for me, I am trying to improve my analytical and observation skills as part of my writing journey, so I am making this as personal as possible.

A. Mobile Games

A lot would surely be guilty of this. I exempt myself because I am not really drawn into mobile games. Maybe because I am not really good at it LOL.

Anyway, I can testify to this because I witnessed this. Back in my college days, some of my classmates, mostly the guys, spend a lot of time in computer shops, or through their phones, just to play online games. There are even times they don't go home and spend the night in these shops!

Let me name some famous ones that you probably have tried or played:

• Mobile Legends

I admit my younger brother really is drawn to this game. Thankfully, his studies are not affected, but mom and I sometimes try to remind him of his limits. Game like this can be so addicting, especially because the player can connect and communicate with many others around the world.

Mobile Legends has become popular and was even used as an E-Sports game in 2019 SEA Games.

• Candy Crush (or Candy Crush Saga now)

I think this game will never get old. It was released last 2012 and it became a hit game. It has been loved by many people, regardless of age.

Candy Crush is that normal matching game you know of. I think I don't have to elaborate it further, it is a really popular game.

• Clash of Clans

This one, as far as I know, is about building your own city (or nation) like how people in ancient times lived. Wars, establishment of a country, and strategic plans are explored here.

I can't explain much I don't play it, and no one that I know of plays this. But it is a famous game, too, it's also known as "COC".

Here are a few more. Tell me if you know one or some of them.

• Plant vs. Zombies

• Angry Birds

• Temple Run

• Subway Surfers

• MineCraft

My mother has mentioned me in a Facebook post again, just earlier this morning. This is actually the main reason why I wrote this article.

Warning: The pictures below may not be suitable for the weak-hearted. Please skip to the next part if you don't want to see it. (Description: Bloodshot or Red eyes)

Let me translate the post:

"Warning! To all of those who sleep for only three to four hours! Addicted to ML (Mobile Legends), focused on cellphone. You may be like him, who's in danger of getting blind."

I did not put alp the pictures separately to not cause discomfort or something.

Okay, so I didn't actually believe it when I first saw it. I am not yet that agreed between the relationship of some eye sicknesses and exposure to cellphone. So I did some research.

Guess what. I haven't found any proven fact that prolonged exposures to gadgets and similar devices can cause blindness or long term negative effects on the eyes.

(Source)

So, why the red eyes?

This is what I've found: When we are focused on the screens of our gadgets for long periods, our average blinking times decreases involuntarily. In short, we forget to blink regularly. This causes our eyes to get dry, and could even result in eye strain.

Some studies also reveal some correlation between excessive use of cellphones and myopia (or near-sightedness) but I will not delve into it further as I have limited materials for research.

To clarify my stand in this issue, I am still into the "moderate use" side. Even there is no proven instances of going blind because of too much exposure to gadgets, it is still better to be safe than sorry. Later, I will elaborate this point.

Let's move on to the next one.

B. Social Media

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Social Media as any form of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share different contents, etc.

See full definition below:

Indeed, Social Media has been an integral part of our lives. Honestly, it's hard to get by without it. Be it entertainment, or for work purposes, we gotta communicate.

And more convenient communication is, I think, the main purpose of social media. Sadly, people forget this important fact. It is supposed to help us, not to make our lives harder.

Many studies have shown how social media is now known as a harmful place to be, and it impacts a vulnerable person's life mentally, emotionally, and even physically.

Here are some of the common examples of social media sites I could think of:

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Instagram

• Tiktok

• Pinterest

• Youtube

It is concerning how something that's supposed to benefit the mankind is becoming a home of toxicity and source of insecurity.

Some people now, do not post to share, but to brag. Some glorifies abusive freedom of expression by using social media.

And here's the most important one: It's supposed to connect people, but we make something opposite happen. Yes, it is not the fault of the social media. It is a tool, it doesn't not think. It is the fault of those who use it, and that is us.

We are familiar how some family members don't talk lively now in their house, but rather, everyone's focused on their phones, talking to other persons virtually.

We forgot that the real relationships begin in our own homes, and we value internet friendships more. I am guilty of this, unfortunately.

Just after a few chit chats with mom how my day went, I quickly get my phone and just spend my time with it, until the day ends. Looking back, I haven't got any heart-to-heart talk with people I love, because, first, I find it uncomfortable, second, I am too busy with my virtual friends on Messenger and Instagram.

Eventually, the open communication in the family gets impacted, making it hard for each and everyone to be more expressive physically.

Before your family becomes like this, too, I advise you to re-evaluate your current balance between face-to-face and virtual relationships. Nothing's bad in between the two, as long as they are balanced.

Though there are many other reasons that people tend to spend prolonged hours on gadgets, the two main things I put above, are what I am sure of, based on my personal experience for the past few years.

Of course, you add more to this if you are willing. *insert smiley face*

For now, I will indicate some effects of over-exposure to gadgets, as a product of my research, own experiences, and external observations.

• It is not good for our health.

This is a physical aspect I want to emphasize first.

As I confirmed earlier, there is no proven correlation between prolonged use of gadgets and blindness. It doesn't mean, though, that our eyes are not affected by our abusive actions.

Our eyes are not machines. They get tired, too. Most common results of too much exposure to gadgets cause eye strain, dry eyes. To some, the symptoms are visible, eyes are red and puffy.

Others experience headaches, itchy eyes, struggling to look at bright lights, some got swelling eyes, others even said it's painful to open their eyes. Everyone has different responses on how they experience eye strain, or any discomfort relating to eyes.

Raise your hand, if you are like me who works in front of the computer more than seven hours a day. Wow, we're incredible. Mad incredible.

Kidding aside, blue light emitted by these devices can't be filtered by our eyes, and this type of light makes sleeping difficult. This explains why some people can't sleep after using their phones on bed. It's a bad habit, though. We should not practice this.

Obesity, or being overweight. Dedicating our time on mobile games or different stuff on the internet prevents us from using that time instead for exercising. When we are in front of our cellphones, we are just either seated comfortably, or lying down.

Our bodies are in a constant "resting" mode. Lack of regular exercise increases the risk of obesity, which us not good for our health.

• It impacts our mental health.

Unrealistic beauty standards have been spread across the internet which just make people who see it become affected negatively.

Not everything we see in social media is true. Editing works wonders, especially in these pictures of celebrities with unbelievably curvy as hour glass figures, or flawless skin, or beautiful facial features.

I am glad that little by little, body stereotypes are being abolished, making way for body positivity and acceptance.

Most people we see on the internet look nothing like their posted pictures when we see them in person. This is a fact.

I follow this page on Instagram with the username @/beauty.false. It exposes the "Picture vs. Reality" versions of celebrities that are popular nowadays.

Here are some samples:

See? Even these people who are jealous of are somehow insecure, too, aren't they? I mean, if they were only confident in their real, unfiltered beauty, why do they even need photoshops? They themselves built standards they can't reach themselves.

To Be Continued

Let me cut this here, and ask you a question—or questions.

What do you think about gadgets and technology? How about the internet?

It is already 11:20pm in my country time right now. I still want to add more, but I think, this is getting longer than I expected. Maybe I will just post a Part 2, because I haven't said those that I want to discuss today. Please look forward to it. :)

Until then, see you again!

• Please click photos for sources ;)

• Lead image Source