Topics
Navigation
Connect
DONATE
About Engage

Engage exists to provide perspective on culture through the eyes of a Biblical worldview, showing how that worldview intersects with culture and engages it.

We are a team of 20-somethings brought together by a common faith in Jesus Christ and employment in our parent organization American Family Association.

I Can Do All Things Through Christ...But I Still Need My Phone

06/30/2015
Chris Woodward
Reporter for One News Now

Few items in history have crossed economic, age and racial barriers like cell phones. However, recently published statistics show we may be more connected with our phones than necessary.

In The Hyperlinked Life, co-authors Jun Young and David Kinnaman reveal that 36% of adults say they usually stop what they’re doing when a text or message is delivered to their phone. For Millennials, the number is 42%. Speaking of Millennials, people who reached adulthood around the year 2000, 30% of them “love” their cell phone.

The figures are important, as Young and Kinnaman also found that many people today, regardless of age, feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they need to stay current. More than a third of adults also think their personal electronics sometimes separate them from other people. That may be explained by the fact that 40% of adults check their phone first thing in the morning, and much of that same figure continues to check it every hour afterwards.

So what does this mean for us? We are really, really, really connected to our phones. Even an unrelated 2013 poll by Jumio, Inc. and Harris Interactive finds one in five Americans use their phones in church. Sure, they could be using a Bible app, but it’s unclear as to whether that is the case with this poll. Barna Group has even found that a lot of Millennials fact-check their pastor’s sermon.

While it certainly may not be easy to do, there are things cell phone users can do to stay connected and enjoy life if they deem their cell phone use a problem. In addition to the various statistics that we have shared, The Hyperlinked Life suggests people write down how often they use their cell phones. In doing so, people will see just how often they use their cell phone.  If you take up that challenge and decide there is a problem, consider taking a ‘digital’ siesta. Another suggestion is to use one fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) each week with your cell phone, to share the love of Christ and help share the Gospel.

 

 

How To Find Peace When God Makes You Wait 08/20/2019 | Myra Gilmore

God has not left you hanging. He will lead you and direct you when the time is right.

Assume the Best in Your Spouse 08/21/2019 | Teddy James

The best piece of wisdom I ever heard concerning marriage.

What Proverbs 31 has to Say About Career 08/20/2019 | Hannah Meador

Are Christians free to build a career rather than a family?