The first thing you reach for when you wake up, the last thing you put down before bed: Smartphone usage is nearly ubiquitous among adults.

Two armed robberies within a mile of the Danforth Campus in the last several days have left students increasingly aware of off-campus safety issues. Both robberies happened during the day, one at gunpoint and the other involving a pocket knife.

A female walking on Forsyth Boulevard was robbed of her cell phone at approximately 1:50 p.m. Tuesday. According to the St. Louis Metro Police Department, the robbery took place on the sidewalk outside the Forsyth School. The victim was not associated with Washington University. The victim was not harmed, and no weapon was used.

A female walking on Forsyth Boulevard was robbed of her cell phone at approximately 1:50 p.m. Tuesday. According to a crime advisory sent out to the Washington University community, the victim was approached from behind by a male on the 6200 block of Forsyth and asked to hand over her cell phone.

The world fell apart today. It imploded. I could not check my Facebook while waiting in line, distract myself during lecture, or check my email…but really, I just left my phone and computer in my dorm for 24 hours. Throughout the day, I did not check any social media sites or return any texts, calls or emails.

Most college students define “sexting” not as this sordid way of spreading young nudity, but as a way of communicating feelings of intimacy toward a partner when separated. While in class or at a party, the conveyed desire is just a T9-touch away.

As college students, our phones and the Internet are what keep us feeling safely connected and comfortably findable in the world. Sometimes, however, we are so concerned with staying connected to everyone we know that we do not realize how we affect people around us, who are quite often annoyed by our phone-related habits.