THE DARK SHADOW

 

The Dark Shadow: 

How Our Devices Are Changing Society

by Coach Frank Sagasta 2025

Billions of people around the globe are connected by a new DNA.  We are connected by a new constant companion.  Like our DNA.  Like our shadow.  This companion goes EVERYWHERE we do: to work, to bed, to the store, to the doctor's, to the bathroom, to the sofa to watch television, and much more!  

I am confident that many of you reading this short blog today know the benefits, but are you truly aware of the cons?  Our modern-day technology has many incredible benefits, but have we been seduced by ALL the pros and ignored the many cons?  What is the ultimate price we have actually paid?  For millions of us? They have cost us; they have cost us our genuine happiness.  

In today's hyperconnected world, smartphones have become nearly ubiquitous extensions of ourselves.  While these devices offer unprecedented convenience and connectivity, they also bring significant downsides that affect people of ALL ages.  As we grow increasingly dependent on our digital companions, it's worth examining the hidden costs of this relationship.  YES…the cost we ALL pay for today.  It’s no exaggeration to say that our phones have become our electronic shadows, and if we don’t gain control of ourselves, we will lose the next generation.  

40% of kids have a tablet by the age of 2 years old, and they spend approximately 1-2 hours and 3 minutes on their screens (2025 Common Sense Census).  This is absolutely ridiculous and damaging to their mental health, in my professional opinion.  Perhaps the most troubling impact of smartphone or tablet use is on our mental wellbeing.  I have read studies showing a link between excessive screen time and increased rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and feelings of suicide across age groups.  The constant stream of notifications creates a state of perpetual alertness, preventing our brains from properly resting and processing emotions.  I have witnessed this from my own students for years. 

For teenagers and young adults, social media comparisons or gratification can be particularly damaging.  Seeing carefully curated highlights of others' lives can foster feelings of inadequacy or fear of missing out (FOMO), while the pursuit of likes, hearts, and comments can become an unhealthy validation mechanism.  I found this such a fascinating thought experiment over the last five years because it really forces us to consider the incredible power that devices have and the many ways they alter the texture of everyday lives. 

If your phone were a person and that person stressed you out and distracted you as much as your phone does, how would you feel about them?  If that person were able to fascinate you, entertain you, excite you, or stimulate you to the extent that your phone can.  How would your friends or family feel about themselves?  

We have lost much of our natural curiosity and ability to communicate.  Face-to-face interaction is being replaced by digital communication at an alarming rate.  Many children now grow-up with fewer opportunities to develop crucial social skills like reading facial expressions, maintaining eye contact, or navigating complex in-person social situations.  I know this from real-life experience because I am a teacher, and I have worked with elementary, middle, and high school students for the past fifteen years.  I have also worked with adults who aren't immune either – how many of us have witnessed or been part of a group where everyone is staring at their phones instead of engaging with each other?  How many times have you walked into a meeting of the minds and people are on their phones?  How many times have you walked into a classroom and seen children on their phones?  How many times have you walked into a restaurant and looked around to see everybody on their phones?  If only they could look up and really tell us what they’re looking at or what they’re feeling at the moment.  Maybe we could build a better bridge over this gap. 

What gap am I referring to?  Attention and cognitive function!  Based on my professional experience and in my heartfelt personal life.  I don’t think it is absolutely right for loved ones to simply compete with modern technology.  Your phone has a unique ability to record all of your history.  Your phone has a unique ability to record all of your preferences.  From your favorite song, film, purchase, entertainment, and every intellectual, sexual, and social connection you ever made online.  It generates a deep personal knowledge of exactly what triggers our brain and emotion and uses that knowledge to draw you into its universe of distraction.  Our smartphones and devices have trained us to expect constant stimulation and immediate gratification.  On average, in 2023, people are checking their phones 144 times a day, though surprisingly, that number has gone down (https://www.pcmag.com/news/americans-check-their-phones-an-alarming-number-of-times-per-day).  This habit of constantly switching between tasks is reshaping our lives and our ability to focus and engage in deep thinking.  Which is what our ancestors used to do between their daily tasks.  

Growing evidence suggests that early and extensive smartphone, tablet, or device use may be linked to attention difficulties, reduced impulse control, and diminished ability to engage in sustained concentration.  This will ultimately affect our economy in the long haul.  And I haven’t mentioned the physical consequences of smartphones, which are equally concerning.  You might think that I’m joking, but look this evidence up when you have time.  Experts call the physical portion “Text neck" – pain and damage from looking down at devices.  And now a recognized medical condition.  For children, teens, and young adults, reduced physical activity due to screen time contributes to rising OBESITY rates and associated health problems.  OLDER Adults suffer too, with sedentary behaviors reinforced by endless scrolling.

Despite these concerns, smartphones are clearly here to stay.  The first step is awareness – recognizing how our devices are reshaping our minds, bodies, souls, and communities in ways both subtle and profound.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  The next is to establish tech-free zones and times in your home, school, or work.  As parents or guardians, challenge yourself to model good digital habits for those you love.  Use screen time tracking tools to become aware of usage patterns.  Practice mindful smartphone use rather than mindless scrolling.  And lastly, PRIORITIZE in-person connections because face-to-face connections has tremendous benefits.  

As educators and researchers, we often witness the double-edged sword of cellphones in the classroom.  While they offer unparalleled access to information and learning tools, their presence can also be a significant distraction and damaging.  The constant ping of notifications and the allure of social media can divert students/scholars' attention away from valuable lessons, hindering their ability to engage fully with the material and interact meaningfully with their peers.  Moreover, excessive phone use can erode essential social skills and critical thinking abilities, making it increasingly challenging for students/scholars to navigate complex problems and collaborate effectively.  By setting boundaries, encouraging responsible phone use, and providing the tips herein.  We can help students/scholars harness the benefits of technology while minimizing its drawbacks.  

Tips- Five ways to create distance from your phone: 

1. Look at your phone and see which apps bring value or interfere with your harmony. 

2. Create screen timers and make sure you commit to those timers. 

3. TURN OFF all notifications from apps that don't bring value to the table. 

4. Set up boundaries and don't take your phone to the table to eat, don't take your phone to the bathroom, and don't take your phone to bed with you! 

5. Learn how to set up a Do Not Disturb function on your phone and turn off the ringer when you're spending special time with loved ones. 

Respectfully,

Coach Frank Sagasta 

Arizona Professional Skills Instructor, Leadership Specialist, and Educational Researcher