Albert Einstein once said, "I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots." Today, technology plays a major role in connecting humans, simultaneously disconnecting the millennial generation unlike any generation before. Imagine a depressing scene: two well-dressed young adults, sitting across from each other, seemingly on a date, but in complete silence and ignoring each other for the attention of their smartphones. This scene is all too common and seems to be the new normal for the millennial generation. The technology generation no longer converse with mouths, but now with fingers, tapping touchscreens and keyboards. Smartphone use is not limited to communication but can also be used for paying bills, managing love lives, and research (Hatch, 3). Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, pioneered a series of radical new technologies that have forever changed the way that society depends on technology. On January 7, 2007, the world was introduced to one of these revolutionary devices, the first ever iPhone (Ritchie, web). Since the introduction of this small device, smartphones have changed the way that the millennial generation functions, giving dependence to these phones for more than the traditional functions of texting and calling. The exposure of smartphones to the millennial generation has opened up a whole world of new opportunities, but this ease of technology has ultimately eroded human character and promoted a lazier lifestyle. I propose that the studies I contribute regarding the relationship between smartphones and "millenials" highlight evidence of an ultimately lazier and less social lifestyle. 

Little by little, technology has become an integral part of daily lives' for avid users (Drago, 13). The millennial generation has a higher exposure to technology than any generation before. According to the Pew Research Center, 64 percent of adults in the United States own a smartphone (as of October 2014). Pew Research also reports that seventy three percent of teens have access to a smartphone, leaving the remaining twenty seven percent of teens with a basic phone or no cell phone (as of April 2015). The most concentrated age group of smartphone users is the 18-34 demographic, with 80 percent owning smartphones, with the limiting factor being money (Forbes). 

With the growing popularity of smartphones, face-to-face socialization has become less frequent and facial conversation is becoming a thing of the past. The evidence of eroding human character is clearly articulated in readings such as a study conducted by Lulu Chang. Chang concluded that Americans spend an average of 4.7 hours per day using their phones, this is staggering considering that the average American is awake just 15 hours per day (Digital Trends). Smartphone users spend an immense amount of time surfing the web and using social media sites. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter are common social media sites that allow the connection of people across oceans by simply tapping a "follow" command. Three-quarters of smartphone users use social media and a vast majority of users claim to use the Internet on their phone weekly, according to PewResearch.org. With the ease of communication via smartphones, up to 11 percent of adults choose to stay indoors on their device when given the option to see people face-to-face (The Telegraph). Yazino, writer for the The Telegraph stated, "Communication is constantly evolving. Some people are as used to seeing their friends' online avatar as they are their face". People seem to now prefer quick and frequent interaction with speedy updates than a prolonged and intimate chat. 

Mobile technology is becoming available to most of the world (Internet World Stats, 2015) and is taking on the role of social learning and communication. Extensive use of technology is also raising concerns that children's face-to-face communication skills may be inhibited or negatively affected (Bindley, 2012). This theory is not limited to children but is also held true for adults. Melissa Ortega, a child psychologist at New York's Child Mind Institute was interviewed and claims that the children that she speaks with will check their phone for notifications within the two minutes that they are seated for a meeting with her. Ortega said that "conversation takes practice" and devices can make it harder for children to socialize. Human character is formed through adversity and learning to communicate through problems but Ortega claims that children are having a terrible time initiating interactions and prefer the safety of their handheld device. Adolescents and adults must converse and tolerate the discomfort of being without their devices in order to form and maintain healthy relationships. Victor William Harris, Ph.D. and assistant professor for the Department of Family Community Services says, "Effective communication is critical to successful relationships." Smartphones are transforming the once simple task of dialogue into a foreign and challenging chore. A short YouTube film written by Charlene deGuzman titled, "I Forgot My Phone" is an eye-opening visual on the new normal of socializing with friends. This satirical video is a bash of society's obsession with smartphones, depicting several scenes when individuals are so engrossed in their smartphones that they cannot give attention to the events that surround them. This film displayed a man proposing to his new fiance but the intimate moment of the proposal was interrupted with the couple being miserably occupied by their smartphones. Ultimately, this film depicts that the millennial generation can become so obsessed with capturing moments on film or using their smartphones so excessively that users miss the actual experience. Conversation is more effective when face-to-face and 58 percent of communication is through body language (Psychology Today). Body language cannot be understood when communicating through devices and conversations may be comprehended differently than expected. 

An additional study that proves how effective communication can be is found within a study conducted among preteens who spent five days in a nature camp with no access to screens, including smartphones (Yalda et al. 2014). This particular experiment involving sixth graders concludes that there is importance of peer interaction for learning to understand and cope with the emotions of other individuals. The experimental teens were compared with a control group and asked to read non-verbal emotion cues from peers. This study proved that time away from screens increased social interaction and also improved the comprehension of nonverbal and emotional cues (Yalda et al. 2014). 

Social media accounts are appropriate to engage people without direct human interaction. These sites allow consumers, especially teenagers to express themselves (Weng, et al. 2012). Social media has altered the way that the millennial generation uses communication by creating the impression of a constant audience. Although, the use of social media has gained popularity, an overexposure to social media can result in lower levels of self-esteem and even depression (Pantic, et al. 2012). A 2012 study found correlation between depression and frequent use of Facebook, a major social networking site. This study was conducted to show certain behavioral changes and detrimental mental health effects. This study investigated depression indicators and social media among 160 high school students. The students were interviewed and asked questions pertaining to the time that they used social media. Minimal depression was found in 104 students, 46 having mild depression, and 10 having moderate depression. Evidence indicates that social media is related to an individuals self-image and self-esteem (Pantic, et al. 2012). Previously in March of 2011, The American Academy of Pediatricians coined the term "Facebook Depression," adding to the list of childhood and teen ailments. The term was defined as "a disorder that develops when preteens and teens spend a great deal of time on social media sites such as Facebook, and then begin to exhibit classic symptoms of depression (O'Keeffe, 2011)". Social media and online networking are related to depression and overexposure can trigger detrimental health effects. While editing photos and profiles may increase feelings of self-worth temporarily (Gonzales et al. 2011), social standards found on popular sites can ultimately leave the millennial generation with a feeling of unworthiness, eroding our self-worth and character. Acceptance by contacts and peers is an essential aspect of life for adolescents and the intensity of social media may trigger anxiety and depression when individuals feel that they are inferior to others (O'Keeffe, 2011). The popularity of smartphones has given access to social media unlike ever before and smartphone users can connect to sites such as Facebook by simply opening an app. 

Obviously, not everyone agrees that smartphone use negatively impacts humans and studies have proven that there are some benefits to social media and smartphone use. Contrary to Pantic's study, a Cornell University study has found that Facebook can have a positive influence on the way that college students value themselves. This is likely because Facebook, and all other social media accounts, allow individuals to post their positive qualities and filter negative aspects of themselves. Jeffery Hancock, co-author of "Mirror, Mirror on my Facebook Wall" says that "Unlike a mirror, which reminds us of who we really are and may have a negative effect on self-esteem if that image does not match our ideal, Facebook can show a positive version of ourselves." Hancock studied 63 Cornell students, placing the participants at computers. Of the computers, a selected few had their personal Facebook profile visible, while others had computers turned off with mirrors propped again the screen. The students were then allowed to look at themselves, either on Facebook or in the mirror for three minutes, and then were evaluated on self-esteem. Those who had explored their Facebook account had more positive feedback than those looking in mirrors. This study proves that self-esteem can be temporarily altered through edited photographs but ultimately this study does not prove any significance on human character or the lazier lifestyle that smartphones are promoting. 

Another factor that must be considered is the impact of screen time on physical and mental activity. It is simple: the more technology a person uses, the less the body is active. High levels of smart phone use naturally lead to less time for outdoor physical activities and inevitability lead to weight gain. More than one-third of US adults are obese (Flegal, et. al, 2010). Comical tweets or busy Instagram feeds are likely more appealing than an afternoon spent at the gym or running in the park. According to a study published by the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Psychical Activity, individuals who overuse cell phones tend to be less physically fit and have greater potential risks for heath issues (Lepp, et. Al, 2013). Lepp, Barkley, Sanders, Rebold, and Gates piloted a study in order to investigate the relationship between phones and healthy college students. Body composition was assessed after participants where interviewed regarding physical activity and personal cell phone use. An exercise assessment was then performed to measure cardiorespiratory fitness. The results concluded that cell phone use was significantly and negatively related to fitness and high frequency users reported forgoing physical activities in order to use their cell phones. 

 Lethargy is not limited to psychical activity but is similarly held true for mental activity. Keith Wagstaff says, "there is a connection between reliance on smartphones and not thinking deeply about how to solve problems." Smartphones help find contacts quickly, provide instantaneous directions to virtually any destination in the world, recommend dining options, gas stations, and provide us with the answer to any question with the typing of a few characters. For example, National Geographic News posted an article showing that despite the news coverage on the war, 63 percent of Americans failed to locate Iraq on the map (Roach, 2006). The convenience of smartphones is making it easy for us to avoid thinking for ourselves (Science Daily, 2015), and making it less important to study subjects such as geography. A study was published in Computers in Human Behavior, from researchers at the University of Waterloo, suggesting that users frequently use smart engines rather than brainpower. This study shows that people look up information that they actually know or could easily learn, but users are too lazy to actual use brainpower (Pennycook, 2015). Nathaniel Barr argues that smartphones are used as an extended mind and humans try and escape any effort that is not required. The University of Waterloo study involved over 600 participants whom researchers examined individual cognitive thinking in relation to smartphone habits. The conclusion showed that individuals who used their smartphones' search-engine less had stronger cognitive skills and an overall greater willingness to think. Barr says, "Our reliance on smartphones and other devices will likely only continue to rise." This is important because the millennial generation and generations to come must remember how to think without the presence of technology, specifically smartphones. The millennial generation may find difficulty remembering what life was like when we had to look in a book for a better understanding of a specific topic but it is important to understand how to perform tasks the "old-fashioned way". Ian Leslie writes in Google Makes Us All Dumber, "My argument isn't with technology, but the way we use it. It's not that the Internet is making us stupid or incurious. Only we can do that." Leslie's argument holds true because ultimately technology users are in control of how the Internet will be used. Smartphones are taking over tasks that humans previously controlled because the millennial generation is accustomed to the ease of information. 

There is no issue accepting that we are living in an Internet-heavy and technology-filled environment. The millennial generation cannot blame smartphones for being the sole culprit of eroding human character and resulting in an ultimately lazier lifestyle but it is important to recognize the research that surrounds smartphones and new technology. Each of the studies discussed point significant evidence leading toward the conclusion that smartphones are proven to be more harmful than beneficial when overused. While the millennial generation is so busy capturing memories and posting them on social media, the tradeoff is much more valuable than most think. Writer for Elite Daily, Paul Hudson argues that time is the most valuable commodity on the planet (Elite Daily). Time can never be purchased or relived and the smartphone and technology generation must not forget to live experiences that will ultimately make up our lives.  The more time that is spent on smartphones, the less capable we are to appreciate the real world and the experiences that we are living through. Each individual may have their own opinion on the way that smartphones are affecting the millennial generation but research has shown that too much technology is destructive to humans. Technology can be beneficial and is very valuable to the world but the dependence that the millennial generation gives to smartphones leads to social concerns and less active minds. Time magazines' Techland section led an international poll of 5000 individuals from all around the globe and 84 percent of respondents reported that they would be unable to go a single day without their smartphones. This study also showed that 20 percent of the 5000 respondents consistently check their phone six times per hour. Studies like these are not limited to the participants but can influence the daily lives' of people around us. It is important to remember that face-to-face conversation is still important even though the distractions of smartphones can often steal the attention of the millennial generation.

