Summary
Highlights
Allison Graham introduces her talk by stating her intention to discuss how social media is disconnecting us, what is currently happening due to its influence, and how we can collectively do better. She references a Gallup poll showing a significant decrease in the number of close friends Americans report having, suggesting social media as a contributing factor.
Graham highlights the common sight of people engrossed in their phones, even when together with family or on dates, indicating a preference for online interactions over real-life connections. She cites a study by Mary Meeker, revealing that people touch or check their phones 150 times a day and upload billions of pictures to Facebook, emphasizing the constant engagement with devices.
The speaker touches upon the shortening of vocabulary due to texting abbreviations (OMG, LOL, WTF). She argues that this trend risks losing the nuances and subtleties of human language, hindering our ability to fully express ourselves and communicate effectively. Graham also humorously points out the anxiety many people experience when receiving a personal phone call, preferring text communication.
Graham illustrates the widespread phone addiction by posing a hypothetical: could you leave your phone for an hour? She notes the panic this thought can induce and shares a personal anecdote about her 'Blackberry' (dubbed 'crackberry') which she adored for its durability compared to newer smartphones, highlighting the fragility and perceived preciousness of modern devices.
A study by Cohen Children Medical Center is presented, indicating that texting while driving is now the leading cause of death for teenagers, surpassing drunk driving. Graham provides a vivid example: looking at a phone for just 5 seconds while driving 55 mph means traveling the length of a football field blind.
Graham discusses how social media encourages the presentation of an idyllic, perfect life, often omitting struggles or negative aspects. She reveals how high school students strategically time their Instagram posts for maximum 'likes,' which can impact their self-esteem. The 'selfie' is described as a 'sad invention,' a picture of oneself taken by oneself, and she critiques various types of selfies, including the infamous 'funeral selfie' and 'driving selfie'.
Graham concludes by advocating for a return to meaningful human connection, suggesting that life would be better with 'hands to hold rather than keys to click.' She encourages people to 'look up,' engage in 'people activism' instead of '#activism,' and foster direct human interaction. Her call to action is a 'screen-free challenge': unplug for one hour a day to rediscover the world and each other.