Texting and walking: taking away our sight and safety
November 3, 2016
Technology is rapidly consuming our society. Whether it be by phones, e-books, tablets or computers everyone is becoming more and more attached to screens. From waking up in the morning and checking Instagram, to using GPS to find your way around town, to setting an alarm for the next day, we cannot seem to separate ourselves. This obsession has led to a large problem of texting and walking.
Most people know about texting and driving, which is illegal in South Dakota and many other states, but do not consider the issue of texting and walking. Texting and walking does not just include texting. Using your phone for any reason while walking falls under this category. This act can take place at work, school, outside or even home. When constantly sucked into our own virtual worlds we lose focus on what is truly happening around us. — Sidney Brower
To many this may seem like an unimportant issue until you realize the consequences. For example, there are multiple reports of people walking into walls and falling into fountains. These may seem minor, but there are also cases of people being unobservant, walking straight into heavy traffic and being hit by a car. The saddest part being these situations were all avoidable.
You may still think this does not affect you, but the problem is even present inside our own school. During passing periods the majority of kids are seen walking and using their phones while trying to Snapchat, text or listen to music. Students have walked right past their classroom and ignored a passing friend or teacher due to being so captivated in technology.
The era that we are in does not allow for the absence of technology. People are forced to fit in with the newest and greatest gadgets just adds to the problem. While updating our Facebook status and posting last nights meal on Instagram may seem like the most important thing in our lives right now, we all need to step back and take a look at reality. It may always feel like there is something “more important” to see on a screen, but nothing is as important as your own safety.
