Rising Phone Use at Events: Connection or Distraction?

In a world where we’re constantly connected, we’re starting to feel more disconnected than ever—especially on the dance floor. As soon as the beat drops, so do the phones rise. Lights, camera… distraction?

Phones have become part of the event experience—capturing, posting, tagging. But while our screens fill with content, what are we missing in real life?

Why Are Phones Everywhere at Events?

For today's generation of event goers, the phone is more than a device—it’s an extension of self.

• FOMO is real.

  If it’s not on your Story, did it even happen? Posting live proves you were there—and that you belong.

• Content = currency.

  A perfect video, a shared post, a tagged location—these are the modern ways we express presence and status.

• It’s habitual.

  With hundreds of daily screen checks, pulling out your phone at an event feels natural—even automatic.

In this environment, using your phone becomes part of how you experience the event. But it’s also part of what takes you out of it.

What We’re Losing in the Process

While phones help us share, they also steal something essential: presence.

• You’re not truly there.

  Watching the moment through your screen creates distance from what’s happening right in front of you.

• It fragments the energy.

  Instead of a unified crowd, you get scattered lights, distracted eyes, filtered moments.

• Your memory fades.

  Research shows that when we capture everything, we remember less.

  The lens becomes a wall.

• Connection suffers.

  Eye contact, spontaneity, real emotion—all reduced when everyone’s caught up in recording.

We become spectators of our own experience, missing the magic we came for.

But Phones Still Play a Role

Let’s be honest: phones also bring value to the event ecosystem.

• They drive exposure.

  Organic content spreads fast and widens reach.

• They build hype.

  Seeing friends at an event creates curiosity, envy, and desire to join next time.

• They keep the experience alive post-event.

  Sharing recaps, photos, and memories extends the emotional impact.

So what’s the solution?

The Middle Ground: Presence and Content

The ideal experience doesn’t force a choice between living the moment and sharing it later. It creates space for both.

A no phone policy event, where presence comes first and distraction is minimized, brings people back to the core of why they came: to feel, to connect, to be part of something real.

But that doesn’t mean memories are lost.

With Sonder, attendees still receive content—curated, respectful, and aligned with the vibe of the event. This way, the experience is lived fully, and the memory is preserved meaningfully.

Final Thought

Phones are powerful. But presence is priceless.

The next time you find yourself in the middle of a crowd, ask: “Am I here to remember this—or to truly live it?”

Ready to rediscover the moment? Let’s change how we connect. Together. #MomentsYouHaveMissed #SonderExperience