How many students in high school would choose not to have a cell phone?

Senior Austin Howell lost his phone Jan.1st.  Even though he has used a cell phone since fourth grade, he hasn’t missed it.

“I love not having a phone. You don’t have to worry about losing it or making sure to charge it every day,” Howell said.

Although he used his phone mostly to contact friends, he finds ways to keep in touch without his phone.  “If you want to talk to me, you will have to come find me and talk to me face to face or through Facebook,” Howell said.

Howell thinks the only drawbacks to not having a cell phone are losing Snapstreaks on Snapchat and not having direct contact with his friends and family. Making plans isn’t as easy as sending a quick text or Snap to get ahold of him.

Not having a cell phone has benefited Howell a lot. He isn’t as obsessed by his phone for 16 hours a day. Now, he focuses on the things around him.

Eventually, in the future Howell knows he will have to get a phone for work. But for now, he enjoys focusing on the people and events around him.