So as you probably all know by now, I’m not one to bitch about people being idiots. Well, sometimes not, any way. This particular topic, however, gets my goat every time.

There’s a somewhat patronising video doing the social media rounds this month about people who become so engrossed in their phones that they stop noticing the way a handset impinges on social relationships. From taking a call while working out with your girlfriend to forcing people to pose for a selfie every five minutes, it’s a fair satire on modern life.

Here it is, below.

It’s been shared countless times by people in my network who caption it with pseudo-profound comments about how they’re guilty of letting important moments go by because they’re too busy giving their mobile devices a proverbial thumb-screwing. It’s not the actual content of the video itself that offends me, but rather people’s reactions to it: they sanctimoniously post updates to the social media of their choice that after watching the video they didn’t pick their phone up for the rest of the day.

This makes me wonder if their other half/boss/friends think they’ve died. Then I wonder whether they also get their asses off of Facebook for a little while as well.

This example reminds me of situations before where people have said to me things along the lines of, ‘Oh you work in the digital space? I’m no good at all of that – I prefer real human interaction.’ In my mind I crawl over the table, grab them and slap that holier-than-thou smirk of insufferable self-righteousness off their silly smug faces. In reality I politely explain that mobile is a tool, a beautiful and powerful one, but still just a tool and should add to rather than detract from ‘real human interaction’.

I’m no Sarah Conner (although possibly equally unhinged) but last I heard, the machines hadn’t actually taken over, we do still possess free will and are able to exercise control over our gadgets. So, before you decide to turn your phone off for the day in some slacktivist protest only to return to your old habits the next, consider rather taking a step back and reassessing how you use technology. Use it as a power for good, for positive sharing, for capturing moments occasionally and realise that for many, mobile represents a symbol of democratic communication, an educative tool or a device to help their businesses.

As many of us still fail to get the point, I’ve bitten the bullet and jotted down some guidelines for those who lack self-control and common courtesy. Remember, it’s not technology’s fault that you act like a douche.

Don’t play with your phone during ‘couple time’

No, I don’t mean while you’re having sex, although if you’re able to play Angry Birds whilst getting your rocks off then er, well done I guess. Basically, if you’re spending time together, give your other half the attention he or she deserves. If they’re boring or irritating then get a new one, don’t just amuse yourself with the latest amusing kitten GIFs.

Don’t read their messages

It’s called trust. If you don’t have it then I suggest you work out how and where to find it.

Take pictures but don’t experience everything through a lens

Having a great quality camera in your back pocket is awesome but don’t diminish an experience together by not living it.

Know where the ‘line’ is

Just because you’re not sitting on someone’s lap and whispering flirtatious nothings into their ear, doesn’t mean you’re not betraying your partner’s trust. The actual definition of cheating is vague and varies from couple to couple but there are usually quite clear norms about what’s acceptable in a face-to-face scenario. Take these rules into the digital realm too. It’s really not rocket.

There are so many more ‘guidelines’ I could list but they all come back to the fact that we can all learn to be better people in our relationships and this is what we should focus on. Blaming technology for any kind of social degeneration is short-sighted and doesn’t fix issues at their root. Love each other, love technology and I’m sure we can all learn to live in state of harmonious bliss.

(Image – Shutterstock)

Jo’s Techs in the City previously ran on our sister site, www.girlguides.co.za, which is moving to a new home at htxt.women this month.