Friend or Phone?

In today's society, many individuals have their faces glued to their phones. Even in a social setting where you may think phones wouldn't be of much use or that people wouldn't even care to look at their phones when they're with friends, it is still an issue. Is there a way to cease the use of digital devices in certain situations?

According to the article, whenever Michael Carl, the fashion market director at Vanity Fair, goes out with his friends, he plays the "phone stack" game. Basically, everyone puts their devices in the middle of the table and if someone happens to pick up their device and look at it before the check comes, in a dinner setting for example, the repercussion is that they have to pay the bill.

The phone stack game is a way to encourage friends to cease the use of their devices, in a playful manner. Personally, I have been in various situations where I'm hanging out with my friends (not subject to dinner situations) and they have been glued to their phone the entire time. It makes me feel like what ever is on their phone, is more important than spending the time socializing with me. I have also been on the other end and have been the one with my face glued to my phone. Even when I'm on this side, I still feel bad and that the other person feels the way that I do when I am in the opposite situation. Honestly, it doesn't always stop me from using my device.

I think the phone stack game is a great way to be effective with stopping the usage of devices in social settings as well as to make a serious issue more lighthearted. Since I am so busy with school, homework and working, I really value the time I spend with my family and friends. I can only control my own usage of digital devices, not the usage of others. Hopefully the phone stack game continues to gain popularity and people cease the usage and realize how much better the time spent with loved ones is without the distractions.