Research and our experience show that for many of those trapped the use of smartphone screen is “triggering” in and of itself.
There seems to be a general acceptance in society and the media that excessive screen time with mobile devices is harmful. A number of recent studies have confirmed this. In a recent post on which can be found here. Professor Laura Baxter says “Back-to-school season is a good time to take a hard look at device addiction and plan some changes for the new school year — ghost your screens and take back your life.”
She recounts: “Last quarter, I decided to make my class “device-free”: No visible phones, laptops, or headphones. I made this announcement the very first day, posted it on the door, and highlighted it in the syllabus. I figured students could drop the class if they had a problem with it.
Perhaps they didn’t think I was serious. The first couple classes, I had to call students out and ask them to please put their devices away. One student cursed out loud, and another student actually flipped me the bird. But I don’t care. Below are eight reasons I’ve made it my new mission to free students from the shackles of their screens.”
They are:
Screens Endanger Student Safety
Screens Jeopardize Learning
Screens Sabotage Social Life
Screens Stunt Career Growth
Screens Undermine Physical Health
Screens Bust Budgets.
Screens Attack Mental Health
Screens Corrupt Souls
She ends the article this way:
“Back-to-school season is a good time to take a hard look at device addiction and plan some changes for the new school year. If you or a student you know has a toxic relationship with tech, take steps to address it now. Don’t be afraid to ghost your phone and take back your life. Your professors, most of whom still remember life before the internet, are rooting for you.”
Of the eight reasons Prof. Baxter gives, only in reason number eight is the role of pornography mentioned. But upon closer examination the first seven can ALL be related to the use of smartphones in the pornography trap.
The first widely available smartphone appeared in 2006. Few of us could have predicted the overwhelming presence and importance of mobile “smart phones” in our daily life. Having 24/7 access to any type of entertainment or information and for many in the business world needing to be available 24/7 was not conceivable.
We know that social media and the ease of access to the internet facilitate a separation from reality and can drive individuals into a downward spiral. Pornography viewing results in estrangement of the viewer from real interpersonal relationships, and effects the physical emotional, and spiritual well-being of the individual.
We are frequently asked “do you have an app”? Research and our experience show that for many of those trapped the use of smartphone screen is “triggering” in and of itself. Research shows that interaction with physical books or manuals and writing with one’s hand, rather than using a keyboard or screen, have many beneficial effects. The use of a physical manual and journal has proven very effective for both the mentor, parent, and user. We support wholeheartedly Prof. Baxter’s courage in leading out on such an important issue.
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