Picture this: You're at your local pool, doing laps, when you look up and see someone floating on their back... scrolling through their phone. Not taking a photo. Not checking the time. Just casually browsing social media while doing the backstroke.
I saw this last weekend. And this week, the video went viral.
We need to talk about what this means for our relationship with technology—and why it matters more than you think.
We've Been Ignoring the Warning Signs
Let's be honest. We've normalized smartphone addiction for years:
- Scrolling on the toilet? Standard.
- Walking into poles while texting? Common.
- Eating dinner with eyes glued to screens? Daily routine.
But swimming? That's a new level of dependency.
And the scary part? The technology has been ready for this moment all along.
Technology Made This Possible
Modern smartphones come with IP68 waterproof ratings as standard. Samsung Galaxy and iPhone models can survive 1.5 meters underwater for 30 minutes. Add a floating case, and you've got a device that literally won't sink.
The waterproof accessory market is booming:
- Waterproof pouches
- Underwater camera housings
- Bone-conduction headphones for swimming
Tech companies have perfected our ability to stay "connected" even underwater.
The question is: Should we?
Why This Actually Matters
First, there's the obvious safety issue. Swimming requires attention. Distracted swimming is dangerous swimming—especially in public pools where collisions can happen.
But the deeper problem is psychological.
This viral moment reveals how completely we've surrendered to FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). We can't disconnect for 30 minutes. Not even in a swimming pool. Not even when we're supposed to be exercising and clearing our minds.
The technology paradox is real: Our devices got waterproof, but our self-control didn't improve.
I'm Guilty Too
Full disclosure: I've watched YouTube in the shower. I've checked emails while brushing my teeth. I get it.
But swimming feels different. It's one of the few activities that demands presence. The rhythm of breathing, the feeling of water, the meditative quality of repetitive motion—all of that disappears when you're scrolling through feeds.
It feels like the last boundary just collapsed.
What We Can Do About It
I'm not suggesting we ban phones from pools. Extreme rules rarely work.
What we need is awareness. Here's a simple framework:
- Designate phone-free hours: Pick one activity daily where phones stay behind
- Create friction: Leave your phone in the locker, not poolside
- Notice the discomfort: That anxiety you feel without your phone? That's the problem
Start small. One swim session without your device. One meal. One walk.
The discomfort fades. The peace that replaces it doesn't.
We Can Still Turn This Around
What's next? Instagram Live during skydiving? TikTok videos while bungee jumping?
It sounds absurd, but five years ago, so did scrolling while swimming.
The fact that this video made us uncomfortable is actually good news. It means we still recognize when we've gone too far. Recognition is the first step to change.
Next weekend, I'm leaving my phone in the locker. Just for 30 minutes. Just to remember what it feels like to be truly present in the water.
The technology will still be there when I get out. But for those 30 minutes, I won't be.
