If I asked you how you use your iPhone on a daily basis, how would you respond? Likely, your response would be, “Well, I text, Snapchat and it’s got some games on it too.” My frustration lies with those who are overly enchanted with their beloved iPhones. You don’t need to read a fancy study detailing the percentage of people who own iPhones—simply look around you. It’s an epidemic.
I don’t own an iPhone, or even a smartphone, for that matter. It’s a tragedy, really. Sometimes I cry over my inability to play Flappy Bird. But sarcasm aside, the logic behind not purchasing an iPhone is perfectly rational.
If you were to attend a single introductory sociology course, you would reach the conclusion that the iPhone obsession is a perpetuation of a social norm. Think about the reasons behind the purchase of your iPhone: texting, Snapchat and games. It’s safe to say that other smartphone brands can perform the same tasks as an iPhone, albeit, without the magic that is Siri. If the functions are identical, what is the explanation for the iPhone Obsession? The continued success of the iPhone is a direct result of the “That Looks Cool” effect, otherwise known as TLC. For example, I saw my friend wearing a pair of slippers that cost fifteen bucks online, so I made the executive decision to purchase them as well, but at a higher price.
Apple’s executives have perfected the TLC effect to a science. They’ve monopolized the market to such a degree that they can force consumers to pay twice the price of competitors. On the Verizon website, the price of the iPhone 6 Plus is listed at 300 bucks. Meanwhile, the equivalent Android phone is free for those purchasing a two-year contract. As college students, why do most of us choose the more expensive option? We are so focused on aligning ourselves with social norms that we are willing to compromise our wallets.
The iPhone is a manifestation of our materialistic nature. As I see it, an iPhone is just a misshapen pacifier. Think about it: it serves many of the purposes of a pacifier. It provides a sense of comfort, especially in social settings. It’s a commodity. Oh, and it’s always kept close to us in case a frustrating situation presents itself, like standing next to your crush in an elevator. It’s time to remove your “binky,” and explore the life outside your iPhone.
Our dependency on specific technological “doohickeys” is handicapping our social skills. A study done in association with psychcentral.com demonstrated a positive correlation between games being played on phones and a decrease in attention span among children. Throughout the study, they discovered “that all children who played games on phones were also at increased risk for ADHD symptoms.” Clearly, there is a need for a paradigm shift in whichever direction leads us away from our iPhones, but more importantly, towards an endpoint that results in mental acuity. It’s interesting, isn’t it? As college students, we cry and moan about our inability to focus efficiently on school word, momentarily deterred by funny Snapchats or “Yik Yaks.”
iPhones aren’t poisonous; rather, one should not feel compelled to purchase this omnipotent iPhone 6. Instead of relying on the TLC effect, weigh the pros and cons to determine whether an iPhone is truly needed.