Whether you like them or not, electronics have proliferated into everyday life as we know it; laptops, cell phones, tablets surround us and make communications or research available 24/7. It has even been contended that people have become addicted to their cell phones or gaming systems.
Many practicing Witches believe that electronics of any type will interfere with the energy of a circle so they should be prohibited. Whether or not this is true depends on how you personally may be affected by electrical energy when working to transition into a magickal mind frame. Again, this is a matter of individual experience. At the very least, it is suggested that you should turn off/mute your electronics before starting a ritual so that you don’t get interrupted by beeps, chirps, or ringtones.
We have been known to use a meditation timer during ritual to let us know when we should be coming out of a meditative state. It is easy to get distracted wondering if you have meditated for too long or not long enough; having a quiet chime takes that potential distraction out of the picture. There are also a number of apps available for everything from plant identification to divination tools to meditation aids that can enhance various aspects of your personal practice.
While they are not something you would use as part of a ritual itself, they are still great aids that you always have available if you have access to your phone. Some people keep their personal records of their practice on a document for portable access. Whatever way you may personally feel about electronics and their use, it is up to each of us to decide about how we want to use them as part of a ritual setting and your personal practice