Addiction at its Finest: Phones in Steam Rooms

Yes, my wife is rolling her eyes at the title. “Not another tirade on how bad phones are for us,” she’s exclaiming to her imaginary friend on the couch while reading this.

I get it, I do. My steadfast approach on this subject has been just that. But hold on just one second. People are finally starting to catch on. The Los Angeles School District is banning cell phones throughout the school day. I encourage everyone to read the article by Arianna Prothero in EducationWeek detailing the ban.

So maybe, just maybe the powers that be are starting to understand that rules need to be in place for these addictive devices.

This iPhone addiction has hit us so fast, we have been unable to react quickly enough. For years, people have been able to observe and adopt principles to combat alcohol and drug addiction. There are stereotypical and targeted interventions for these and other addictive vices.

Even though online gambling on the phone is rampant beyond belief (a new phenomenon), gambling has been a vice for years. So there have been resources for addictive gamblers.

Even on the podcast I listen to (Pardon My Take), the main sponsor is Draft Kings. And at the beginning of every episode, after they introduce the sponsor, there is a targeted ad:

“Addictive gambler? In New York, call 1-888-Gambler. In Connecticut, visit gamblehelp.com. In other states, please refer to blank.gov.” I’m too lazy to pull up an episode and include exact references, but you get the gist.

Now, here comes the issue. What is the tangible consequence of being addicted to a phone? Do we know? I know, but do you know? Does my neighbor’s cousin know?

The Anxious Generation is a good book that has empirical evidence on the danger of having a phone-based childhood vs. a play-based childhood. Anyone born after 1996 is in the danger zone. Self-image for girls is massive. Gaming and blogging and staying indoors is a massive issue for boys. Phones severely hinder natural development.

In 2013, I started my proposed commencement speech with an Albert Einstein quote. The guy is a genius, so no wonder he was way ahead of his time. I may have been a decade ahead; he was 100 years ahead. He stated:

“I fear the day that technology surpasses human interaction; the world will have a generation of idiots.”

So, what’s the consequence of being on your phone too much – “you’re going to be an idiot?” Funny enough, yes, but at the same time, who cares?

Alcohol, drugs, gambling, and other addictions have tangible impact, tangible rules, varying levels of legality, age requirements, and years and years of studied data.

We’re scrambling to understand the full-fledged impact of cellphone use, and the impact varies across ages significantly. Communication is one million times different than having an iphone. Just like having a glass or orange juice at age seven is different than having a mimosa at age seven.

Bringing a phone into a steam room, and being “plugged in” and “tuned out” with airpods in is not a crime. It’s probably not recommended for the phone or the pods, but that’s a different story.

And what am I supposed to do – say “hey man, have you ever thought about embracing a steam to relax your mind without being connected?” If I had a friend who was chain-smoking cigarettes, it’s taboo to maybe encourage them to stop. If you know them well enough, you may suggest it. But the caution sign is out there. Cigarettes say they contain carcinogens will kill you on the label.

There is no caution sign for addictive smartphone cellphone use. Things are starting to happen – but the caution sign would need to be 100 pages long based on years and years of data. I think you could put Albert Einstein’s quote on every cellphone box as a cautionary tale, but not many people would care.

Social connectivity is what bonds people. Keeps people connected. Facial expressions, high-fiving, hugging, a weird interaction, a funny interaction, a hi, nice to meet you, a convo before a meeting – these are all so incredibly important for development.

Sure, I’m probably not going to bond with this guy in the steam room for five minutes. You never know, but he didn’t allow that opportunity to present itself. And if he is phone out, airpods on in the fucking steam room (excuse my French), can you imagine what he’s like in his everyday life?

Addiction at its finest, am I right?

Call 1-800-PHONER if you are experiencing loneliness or detachment or mental health issues due to having your phone too much. And talk to a professional care provider immediately if you need it in the steam room.

P.S. The Education week article here: https://www.edweek.org/leadership/school-cellphone-bans-gain-steam-as-los-angeles-unified-signs-on/2024/06