In today’s world, it is almost taken for granted that nearly everyone has a phone in their pocket and many of us are snapping away photos, collectively churning out 1.4 trillion digital photos per year. With the constant sharing of photos on different social media platforms, there is an increasing pushback against this growing trend, with municipalities, schools and museums banning phones and selfie sticks.
However, the truth might not be as one-sided as it seems. According to research conducted by Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, taking pictures on our phones can have a number of beneficial effects, like directing our focus and making us more present. Those who were encouraged to take photos during museum visits, meals and bus tours experienced better recall of details and more enjoyment of the experience than those who didn’t use their phones for such purposes.
Now, it doesn’t imply that we should disregard the bad side effects that can potentially arise from sharing photos on social media and from an excessive preoccupation with our devices. But, if taken consciously, taking photos on our phones can be an enjoyable activity that enhances our experiences and makes us more mindful. It is important to consider which pictures are really going to be enjoyable in the future. It can also be beneficial to think of the audio elements of a scene we may miss out on by taking photos. Finally, if we are considering sharing pictures it can be beneficial to take some time to think about who could potentially see them and how it might impact our enjoyment in the present.
The research conducted shows that by being intentional and mindful of how we use our phones, we can gain all the benefits of taking yet avoid any of the potential pitfalls. By answering above mentioned questions before taking out our phone, we can be sure that we will take away a lot of joy from any activity that involved taking photos.
Joining the abovementioned research is the organization mentioned in this article, which is hosting an event in San Francisco on July 11-12. This event is intended to bring together business leaders to discuss how to integrate and optimize AI investments for success. It is a great platform to understand the use of technology in a practical environment and learn from industry leaders.
This article is written by Alix Barasch of University of Colorado and Gal Zauberman of Yale University. Both have shown great interest in studying the effects of taking photos on our phones and breaking the usual assumption that it always can be a distraction and a tool designed to harm our mental health. Their research has reached the conclusion that by being thoughtful and intentional about how we use our phones, we can make sure that using it to take photos can have an enjoyable and beneficial experience.
