The first thing most people do when waking up in the morning is grab their phone to see if anything was missed in the social media world. There may be a text, a Snapchat and, if one is really lucky, another like on that Instagram photo. Five minutes later we find ourselves again checking the same sites -- heaven forbid someone posted a new selfie and we haven’t seen it yet.

As the need for constant communication and connectivity has increased, people seem to be unable to do anything without their phones. Our cellular devices are like an extra appendage glued to the inside of our hands. While the rest of the world is passing by, we are fixed on the screen of our phones and simultaneously ruining our eyesight. Well, what if for just a little while each day everyone put down his or her phone?  

Society has now become so consumed in technology that we hide behind phone screens even when conversing. When was the last time you had a real conversation? Not that text you just sent, but a real, face-to-face talk with friends. Even when people get together to hangout, that time is spent updating statuses instead of focusing on each other. When was the last time you went out to dinner and gave your full attention to who you were with? Instead you were probably instagramming your meal or margarita.    

While I’m not saying that social media or texting is bad and should be gone forever, it is, however, consuming much of our time. Even I will admit to being guilty of this. Sometimes I will find myself “quickly” checking Facebook only to look at the clock and realize 15 minutes have passed.  Feeling shocked and slightly ashamed, I began to think of other things that I could’ve done like going for a walk, reading a book, starting  laundry – any other activity that is more productive than sitting and scrolling through my news feed.                    

After reading this, hopefully you have reflected on your own cell phone usage, and thought you too should consider powering down for at least 15 minutes. Then maybe those 15 minutes would turn into 30, and those 30 into an hour. You may even have time to finish those incomplete tasks, or indulge in those hobbies you used to enjoy, but can’t find time for anymore. 

I challenge you: start with 15 minutes. Power down your phone and begin to see birds that aren’t only on Twitter. 

I challenge you and your friends: play the phone game at dinner. What does this mean? Put all of your phones in a pile on the middle of the table when you are out to dinner. First to touch their phone pays the bill. If that won't stop college students from texting, I don't know what will.