When was the last time you checked your phone? If I were to guess, you’ve probably checked your phone within the last five minutes. Chances are, you’re probably reading this on your phone right now. Maybe you saw it while you were scrolling through Facebook, or maybe you came across it while making random Google searches. The point is, you used some sort of technology to be able to access this article.

According to The Telegraph, the average person will check their phone every six and a half minutes. You probably don’t realize how much time you spend on your phone, laptop, tablet or other types of technology. A lot of people are addicted to technology. Most people would struggle to go one day without using their phone. Technology is required for many jobs, so a lot of people have to use technology to an extent. But even outside of their jobs, people still spend the majority of their time using different forms of technology.

You use technology to communicate with people, watch TV, play games, check the time, listen to music and many other things. Most people use technology in their daily routines. Try to remember what life was like before you were attached to technology by the hip. I bet you spent your time doing totally different things than you currently are doing. Maybe you used to read actual books, go outside and enjoy the weather, spend quality time with your family or communicate with people through handwritten letters rather than emails and text messages. The reality is that our lives have completely changed. But is it for the better, or worse?

Nowadays, people use technology as a filler. You check your phone when you’re awkwardly sitting by yourself at lunch. You get on your laptop when you’re bored and think there’s “nothing to do.” You replace your family and friends with your phone, because you spend more time on it than you do with the people around you. Anytime you’re in an awkward situation, you pull out your phone and act like you’re not paying attention to anything. You no longer have to confront people face-to-face, because it’s more simple to do it through text or email.

If you think about it, society is in a very bad place. People rely on their phones, laptops and tablets for everything. It’s hard for a lot of people to function without using technology. Can you still read an analog clock? A lot of people have forgotten how to read one, because they no longer have to. Our electronic device can tell the time for us and we don’t have to do any of the work. People lose basic life skills from being accustomed to using technology. If you hide behind your devices and don’t communicate to people in person, how are you going to be able to talk to employers and pass a job interview? It’s important to stray away from technology and get rid of lazy habits.

Technology is a great thing, but most people have abused it. It’s important to find a balance where you don’t spend the majority of your time using technology. Learn to limit yourself to a small amount of usage each day. If you spend more time a day using technology than you do sleeping, you know you’re doing something wrong.

Are you letting technology take control of your life?