According to Pew Research, here is a synopsis of how the views of the United States population have changed during the past twenty years

The past two decades have witnessed the emergence of all sorts of technologies that let people interact with the world in new ways.

Since 2008, fewer than 30% of Americans have said they trust the government to do the right thing all or most of the time.

The U.S. has become much more diverse over the past 20 years on several measures, including immigrant status. Today, immigrants account for 13.8 % of the nation's population  – near the record high from 1890 – and they have come from just about every country in the world.

Americans display a broad dissatisfaction with politics. As trust in political institutions declines, few Americans now think the political system is working even somewhat well. Majorities say that most elected officials don't care what people like them think and that ordinary people have too little influence on Congress’ decision-making. And most see little or no common ground  between Republicans and Democrats

Many Americans describe themselves as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular.” This group is referred to as religious "nones." Religious nones are currently one of the largest religious groups in the United States.https://www.pewresearch.org/2024/09/13/how-us-public-opinion-has-changed-in-20-years-of-our-surveys/

I read these words today and they were a needed reminder for me to be aware and in control of my phone use:

Problematic phone habits affect more than relationships. They shorten our attention spans, increase anxiety and even make it harder to connect with God. (Kelsey Dallas)

Developing a healthier relationship with our digital devices can deepen faith. (Kelsey Dallas)

If we're totally consumed with our devices, then there isn't much room for anything else. (Reverend Joshua Saxe)

Life is going by while you are stuck on your device. (Reverend Joshua Saxe)

I'm not saying goodbye to technology, but I don't want to be on my phone during those powerful, reflective times. (Reverend Corinne Freedman Ellis)

Taken from https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900060283/why-faith-groups-are-talking-about-our-worst-tech-habits-for-lent-tech-smartphone-phone-screentime.html

I was assigned to do a simple experiment this weekend and write a one page paper about it:

Last night I went five hours without using my cell phone from 7:15 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.as assigned.  This was a great exercise for me because it had been a very busy and unusual week and my husband and I had not been with each other nor conversed very much.  To give background as to why this experience was needed, I will briefly list a few things we dealt with this week:  a funeral in Idaho, a viewing in Salt Lake City, my brother in the Hunstman Cancer Center with complications from cancer surgery which necessitated me spending a couple of nights and days there with him, schoolwork, church meetings, work, and so on.

             I put my phone in my purse at 7:15 when my husband and I met up because I thought that this would be a good time to “reconnect” with my husband and visit with him, without the distraction of the phone.  My mistake was that I did not initially turn off my phone and so for the next 45 minutes I heard it ringing and buzzing and it was a continued distraction.  I wondered who would be calling me and if I was needed somewhere.  Finally, I reached in my purse and held the phone long enough to turn it completely off.  I had to engage in some strong self-talk to convince myself that my brother at the hospital would be OK, that any children or grandchildren that needed me could wait, and that I would be just fine turning off the phone and paying attention to my husband for five hours.    Putting my phone away and turning it off really helped me to enjoy the moment.  I felt lucky to be at a BYU football game with my husband on a pleasant-weather night. I noticed that with my phone put away I looked up more.  I noticed the beauty of the night, the bugs up by the stadium lights, the temple in the background, the clouds in the sky and I definitely saw more football than I usually do.  I have been to football games before when I haven’t really been there.  Last night I visited with my husband, with other family members, and with the lady sitting next to me who I had previously never met.  For five hours, I was distraction free and I really enjoyed it.