From Locked Landlines to Screen Addiction: What Happened to Our Relationship with Phones?

 From Locked Landlines to Screen Addiction: What Happened to Our Relationship with Phones?

Not too long ago, phones were simple devices. They hung on the kitchen wall or sat on a side table, and for many of us growing up, the only “danger” was running up a bill from too many calls. Parents often had to lock the dial or limit our time because phones were a shared household tool, not an extension of ourselves. Fast forward to today, and the situation has flipped. Instead of keeping us off the phone, society is now worried about keeping us away from it. What changed?

The biggest shift has been that phones are no longer just for talking. Modern smartphones are mini-computers, capable of connecting us to work, entertainment, news, and social networks 24/7. They are designed to capture and hold our attention — from the endless scroll of social media to the constant ping of notifications. Unlike the phones of our childhood, today’s devices are deliberately built to be addictive.

This change has made phones both indispensable and overwhelming. On one hand, we rely on them for everything from navigation to banking. On the other, the constant connectivity leaves little room for rest. Instead of being tools we use occasionally, smartphones have become central to how we live, work, and communicate. That constant presence explains why so many people now feel uneasy, even guilty, about how much time they spend on their devices.

There’s also a cultural element at play. When we were younger, a phone call was an event. You called with a purpose, and conversations had a clear beginning and end. Today, communication is non-stop and fragmented — short texts, voice notes, likes, and comments. This flood of micro-interactions can leave us feeling busy without being truly connected, creating anxiety and a fear of missing out if we ever step away.

For parents, the worry has shifted too. Instead of locking the phone to keep children from hogging the line, many now worry about how screens affect attention spans, sleep, and social skills. The phone has gone from a shared household object to a personal, private device — and that makes it harder to supervise, regulate, or control.

As adults, we’re not immune either. Entrepreneurs and small business owners in particular may find themselves tethered to their phones out of necessity, always “on call” for clients, emails, or social media updates. While this accessibility can drive business growth, it can also lead to burnout if boundaries aren’t set. What was once a tool of convenience has, for many, become a source of stress.

Ultimately, the difference between then and now comes down to design, dependence, and culture. Phones used to be simple; now they’re smart. They used to be occasional; now they’re constant. The challenge we face isn’t to go back to the old days, but to learn how to use today’s powerful devices without letting them control us. By setting limits, prioritizing real-world connections, and being mindful of how much we rely on our screens, we can start to rebuild a healthier relationship with the phone — one that feels more like a tool, and less like a trap.