We’re just going to come out and say it: phone addiction is real and, despite popular opinion, there are moments when your beloved device needs to disappear. While we’re all guilty of occasional phone-checking, some situations deserve your undivided attention—no matter how many notifications are buzzing in your pocket.
1. During Major Life Announcements
When your friend is telling you they’re pregnant, getting divorced, or just got diagnosed with something serious, your TikTok feed can wait. This isn’t just about basic respect—it’s about being emotionally present during moments that people will remember forever. Nothing says “I don’t actually care about your life-changing news” quite like scrolling through Instagram while someone’s trying to tell you their marriage is ending. These conversations are the ones people replay in their minds later, and do you really want to be remembered as the person who seemed more interested in their phone than their friend’s biggest life moment?
2. At Funerals (And Yes, This Needs to Be Said)
Your phone should be as dead as your social awareness if you’re pulling it out during a funeral service. This isn’t the time to check your email, post a sad-face emoji update, or worse—take photos of the proceedings. Nothing screams “I lack basic human decency” quite like scrolling through social media while someone’s saying their final goodbyes. And no, sitting in the back row doesn’t make it okay. The only exception is if you’re showing elderly relatives the memorial video you helped create, and even then, it should be before or after the actual service.
3. During Job Interviews
It doesn’t matter what role you’re interviewing for, your phone should be completely powered off and out of sight. Not on vibrate, not face down on the table “just in case,” but fully absent from the situation. Even having it visible signals to your potential employer that you’re keeping your options open for something more important than this job opportunity. And if you’re the interviewer? That goes double for you.
4. When Someone’s Sharing Intimate Personal Problems
If someone’s vulnerable enough to share their struggles with you, the least you can do is pretend their problems are more interesting than your Twitter feed. When tears are falling, phones should be forgotten. Your social media updates, email, and group chats will still be there after you’ve given someone your full attention during their personal crisis. If you absolutely must check your phone, at least have the decency to excuse yourself to the bathroom first.
5. During First Dates
Nothing kills romantic potential quite like competing with someone’s phone for attention. If you’re more interested in your Instagram feed than getting to know the person across the table, just stay home and swipe on dating apps instead. And no, putting your phone face down on the table isn’t good enough—that’s just telling your date you’re keeping your options literally on the table. The only thing your phone should be doing during a first date is gathering dust in your pocket or purse.
6. During Important Family Meals
When Grandma made the special recipe that she’s been preparing since 6 AM, your followers can wait to see what you had for lunch. Family dynamics are complicated enough without adding the silent scream of everyone watching you scroll through Facebook while Uncle Jim tries to tell his (admittedly long-winded) stories. Besides, you might not realize it now, but these are the moments you’ll wish you had paid more attention to when you’re older. No one’s final thoughts are ever “I wish I’d checked my phone more during family dinners.”
7. In Live Theatre Performances
Your phone’s blue light is not part of the theatrical lighting design, and your TikTok notification sound wasn’t written into the score. Live theatre is one of the few remaining places where real human beings are performing their hearts out in real-time, and your glowing screen is basically giving them the middle finger from the dark. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the back row or if you think you’re being subtle—that light is distracting to everyone around you and the performers can absolutely see it.
8. During Small Children’s Performances
Yes, your kid is probably going to sing off-key in the school musical. Yes, that recorder concert might sound like a flock of distressed seagulls. But when your child looks out into the audience, they shouldn’t see the top of your head because you’re checking work emails. They’ve probably been practicing that three-line part for weeks, and they’re looking for your real-time reaction, not your delayed one after you watch the video you took instead of actually watching them.
9. In Religious Services
Whether it’s a church, mosque, synagogue, or temple, your phone should be silent. This is about respect for everyone around you trying to connect with something bigger than their social media feed. If you can’t disconnect from your digital world for an hour of spiritual connection, you might need to examine your priorities. And no, using your phone’s Bible app doesn’t make it okay to scroll through other apps “discreetly.” Everyone can see what you’re
10. During Marriage Proposals
This moment doesn’t need your playlist, your Twitter update, or your live stream (unless specifically planned as part of the proposal). And if you’re lucky enough to witness someone else’s proposal? Keep your phone in your pocket. Let the designated photographer handle it, or better yet, just be present in the moment.
11. While Operating Heavy Machinery (Like Your Car)
This shouldn’t need saying, but that text message isn’t worth turning your car into a weapon for destruction. No, being stopped at a red light doesn’t make it okay. No, having your phone in your lap isn’t “safe driving.” And no, your Instagram story about how bad traffic is isn’t worth the potential manslaughter charges. Your followers will survive without knowing you’re “stuck in traffic again” and those work emails can wait until you’re parked.
12. During Workplace Meetings (Especially Small Ones)
That meeting that “could have been an email” still deserves your attention while you’re in it. It’s especially egregious in smaller meetings where everyone can see exactly what you’re doing and no, holding your phone under the table isn’t fooling anyone—we can all see your “discrete” downward gaze and your thumbs moving. If you’re important enough to be in the meeting, you’re important enough to pay attention to it. If it’s truly urgent, step out of the room.
13. While Getting Any Kind of Service
Whether it’s your hairdresser, massage therapist, tattoo artist, or server, these people deserve better than your divided attention. They’re providing you with a service that often requires your input or feedback, and staring at your phone sends the clear message that you consider them beneath your attention. Your hairstylist needs to know if that’s the right length, your massage therapist needs to know if the pressure is correct, and your server needs to know if you want fries with that—none of which they can do effectively while competing with your TikTok feed.
14. During Intimate Conversations
When someone starts a sentence with “We need to talk” or “Can I get your advice about something?” your phone should disappear faster than your ex’s photos after a breakup. These conversations—whether they’re about relationship struggles, personal problems, or important decisions—require your full emotional presence. Your body language, eye contact, and genuine reactions are crucial parts of these interactions. If someone is trusting you enough to be vulnerable with you, scrolling through your phone is basically telling them they should have trusted someone else instead.
15. During Medical Procedures or Doctor’s Visits
Whether it’s a routine check-up or a more serious procedure, your phone should be silenced and stowed. First, there’s the practical aspect—your doctor needs accurate information about your symptoms, and half-listening while scrolling through social media isn’t going to help them help you. Second, there’s the respect factor—the medical professional trying to keep you alive and healthy deserves your full attention while discussing that weird rash you Googled at 3 AM. Plus, do you really want to be mid-Instagram scroll when your doctor asks you to turn and cough?
