The smart phone syndrome
Smart phones are double-edged: both a technological wonder and an addictive device that can corrupt lives. My wife bought one; however, I was certain I didn’t need one and put off getting one for a long time, but I eventually acquired my own—and I am glad.
After getting a phone, I was amazed, wondering how I ever lived without one. I love the GPS capabilities and the Google function, both incredibly helpful – the GPS in finding some place, predicting an arrival time, avoiding cluttered highways, and even detecting a cop’s radar, and Google helps me search for helpful information.
Having a phone with me at all times is also great. Remember searching for a business or friend to make an important call—perhaps when the car broke down? My contact list prevents people I don’t know from calling me. No name showing on my phone’s screen and I send the call to voicemail. My phone also alerts me to nuisance calls (telemarketers, political people and robocalls from computers).
However, smart phones are destroying the fabric of society. Families “talk” to one another more via texting than talking face-to-face. Look around a restaurant and you will see dozens of folks on their phones, not having a real conversation, but eager to read email, check phone texts or to peruse Facebook. Kids are doing video games.
Parents have to either program their kids’ smart phones or watch them like a hawk, since all sorts of websites provide less-than-desirable material. Phones need to be put away in classes or at home when homework is due. Teachers have to balance phone use with paying attention in class.
There are cute videos that show the dangers of using phones at the wrong time. One shows a doctor using his smart phone during surgery instead of focusing on the patient. Another shows a family at a table—dad knocks his phone off the table and, while he is “searching” for it, mom, son and daughter all quickly pick up their phones, typing madly, demonstrating that phones were not allowed at dinner, but—when dad returns to his seat, three phones are quickly put down. Finally, we see that the father was also using his phone when hidden from his family’s view.
The addictive devices are used everywhere: while driving, riding bicycles, flying aircraft, while crossing a busy street and during other potentially dangerous conditions. Police understand the hazards of smart phone use while driving. Accidents can result, or you could get caught and expect a huge fine.
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