The first thing I do in the morning is look at my phone. My mother often rolls her eyes when she sees me do so, affectionately calling me a “screenager” or something similar, but checking my messages is part of my routine for a reason. Two of the most important people in my life live far away from me, and even though I rarely see them in person, I speak to them every single morning.

As my day goes on, I continue checking my phone. I’ll get videos from friends, texts from classmates asking about homework and questions from my parents checking in on how my day is going. Ever since the new cell phone policy’s implementation at the start of the school year, I’ve been on my device significantly less, but checking it from time to time is still important to me. I wouldn’t have half the relationships I do now without technology, and while phones can absolutely be a hindrance in social situations when used to excess, they ultimately do far more harm than good.

According to an article from the National Institutes of Health, approximately 95% of teenagers use some forms of social media. It’s abundantly clear that social media has a myriad of drawbacks, sure, but in the face of these negatives, the positives are often overlooked. Apps like Instagram and Snapchat are excellent ways to maintain frequent yet low-maintenance communication among friends. They’re perfect for quick check-ups on people you care about but don’t see in person very often, and these quick check-ups are an easy way to make someone’s day. 

Texts and phone calls have done wonders for the sake of my deeper friendships as well. I’ve known my best friend for nearly a decade, but we haven’t gone to school together in over four years, and despite how little I see them, we sustain our friendship via weekly FaceTimes and consistent messaging. No, this virtual communication isn’t as good as the real thing, but when I see them in person, it feels as if no time has passed at all. This same level of connection wouldn’t have been possible without access to technology.

Long-distance romantic relationships are also greatly aided by phones. While there are lots of drawbacks to these kinds of relationships, technology has made them so much more manageable and because partners don’t frequently see each other in person, their conversational skills are heightened because of the distance. When you hardly see your significant other face-to-face, all you can do is talk to them. In order to retain a healthy relationship, you have to get good at communication.

From acquaintances to friends to partners, technology has allowed for humans to form and preserve relationships that matter to them. People all around the world can create connections with one another more easily than ever, and these benefits cannot be overlooked. My life would certainly be a lot worse without the friendships and relationships I’ve been able to hold on to because of my phone. No matter how many times my parents grow exasperated about my reliance on my phone, I’m going to continue to value technology, as its drawbacks are greatly outweighed by the good it does.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Evelyn Foster at [email protected].