“All anyone does anymore is stare down at their phone screens! No one actually communicates anymore!”

If you’re a teenager, you have heard this countless times from parents, grandparents or anyone who hates smart phones but definitely owns one. The downsides of smart phones are well documented, but the wonderful benefits they hold are often downplayed. The common complaint with smart phones, of course, is that they hinder communication and interaction. However, this is quite the opposite.

Many situations are certainly unsuitable to be using a smartphone, and never should they replace face-to-face communication as many fear. But these sinister inventions corrupting the minds of us Millennials are adding more channels of communication than ever before, and we constantly reap those unseen benefits.

With smartphones, communication is never lost, always available (except in the basement of NC). Constant communication allows connection and interaction with anyone and everyone—friends, family and loved ones, no matter where they or you are. We can be and are much closer to everyone we care about, and just everyone for that matter. Cell phones have also improved communication in times of emergency and have overall made the world a much safer place in general, with the ability to instantly contact the police or other authorities when in need.

With smartphones, we also have connection and digital access to almost every single piece of art, movie, TV show, etc. This not only has brought great, endless entertainment and happiness to our lives, but also enables us to locate potential passions and interests. The ability to watch movies, TV or other forms of entertainment on your phone, whenever and wherever you want with Netflix and various other apps and websites, is truly amazing and incredible to have at our fingertips.

Smart phones have also allowed everyone to be aware of the constant news cycle much more easily. With apps for nearly every major news organization as well as social media apps like Twitter, everyone can remain informed about the news going on every single day. This is also made possible with constant connection to the internet on smart phones.

Despite their well-documented flaws, smart phones have undoubtedly benefited everyone’s lives and made us a more connected society. They provide us with countless opportunities to experience and enjoy. So appreciate them, because these tiny screens can make us smile, laugh, cry and everything in between.