Summer is the perfect time to celebrate our country’s independence and, for some of us, enjoy a family vacation at our favorite get-away spots. This summer, according to one recent survey, may also be a good time for us to take a vacation from our smartphones. See, it turns out that it isn’t really necessary to be connected 24-7.  Moreover, the constant checking on emails and texts may even be bad for personal relationships.

According to a study by Lookout, a mobile security company, 58 percent of U.S. smartphone owners check their phone at least once every hour, and 54 percent of study respondents said they check their phones while lying in bed before they go to sleep, or in the middle of the night.

The Lookout study also revealed that smartphones have negatively impacted users’ personal lives. Many respondents admitted they check their phones while sharing a meal with others. Even worse, (and far more dangerous), is the 24 percent of respondents who engage in risky behavior such as checking their phones while driving. Some of us can’t even detach when we attend our place of worship – with 10 percent of respondents checking their phones while participating in religious services.

On a recent trip out of the country, I turned off my smartphone for a whole week and didn’t turn it back on until I landed on the tarmac at Hartsfield-Jackson. (My desire to avoid exorbitant roaming charges far outweighed the need to be connected.) I suffered minor withdrawal symptoms – although the beach and pina coladas were wonderful replacements. But, much to my surprise, the world was still revolving and the news (good and bad) happened – without my up-to-the minute knowledge of it.

Once back, I reverted to my old habits of constantly checking emails and responding immediately to texts. But, the Lookout survey is a good reminder that unplugging from time to time is the only real smart choice. IJS

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