Can Cell Phones Rob Our Kids of Common Sense?
by I have nothing against cell phones. I have one. My husband has one. They are very handy to have. My kids desperately want them. They are convinced that they are the only teenagers in the western world who don’t have them. (They concede that there may be a few teenagers in Africa who don’t have cell phones.).
So why are we not rushing out to get this very handy bit of technology for our children? Could it be true that every other teen has one? One day, I phoned my daughter’s friend’s home when I was looking for her. The mom asked “Isn’t she answering her cell phone?”
Are we just stingy? Maybe. But I have spent a bit of brain energy on this one, and have come to the conclusion that for teens, a cell phone is a status symbol, much like the Walkman was when I was a teen. (The Walkman was the first popular portable personal cassette player with headphones. And yes, I am that old.) I didn’t get one until the fad had long been replaced by the Discman, and I still don’t have one of those.
Back to the topic I started off with. How can a cell phone rob kids of common sense? They have become so dependent on this convenience that, heaven forbid if they found themselves without the cell phone, they are lost, perhaps literally.
The other day, my daughter walked home from her job at a large department store where she wears a blue vest. I asked her why she hadn’t called home for a ride. She said “I couldn’t. I didn’t have your cell phone with me, and you won’t buy me one.” All my fault, again. I asked her why she hadn’t just used a pay phone. I could hear the gears in her brain cranking to find an explanation. “Pay phones are full of germs,” was the best she could come up with. “Don’t they have phones in the employee lounge that you could use?” I asked. “I didn’t think to look,” was the only thing she could think of.
I frequently tell my children about how I made it through my childhood without the use of a cell phone. I just get “Yeahbuts.” “Yeahbut – they didn’t have cell phones back then. Did they even have phones?” And the most astute response: “That was then. This is now.” Can’t argue with that one.
By the way, my husband and I are not completely heartless. We have told our kids that they can have cell phones as soon as they get an old fashioned thing called a “job.” They argued that they could afford to pay the bill if we raised their allowance. We didn’t buy into that one. My 16 year old just got her first job, so she can get her own cell phone as soon as she gets her first paycheck. We’ll see how that works out.
Brought to you by the deranged mom who wrote:
Mommy Can I Have… ?
Techno-challenged Mom http://authspot.com/biographies/techno-challenged-mom/
What’s an Eight Track? And:
What do Teens Want?
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentJeffrey B. Merrow
On September 26, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Great informative write. Karen I have read a lot of your stuff and you are a great writer. Also I have not went off the deap end with my lattest stuff I’m exsploring how people tend to read sex,evil,lust and alll sorts of pervert stuff before they will read stuff excellent like this work here. I will talk to ya latter. Great write friend.
Christine Ramsay
On September 26, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I think you are quite right. I hate the things. I have one for emergency calls, but I hadn’t used it for six months so they took all my credit away, just when I needed it to make an emergency call. I was furious. A great piece from a wise mum.
Christine
Brenda Nelson
On September 26, 2009 at 3:54 pm
something we agree on. We live rurually – 1 hour from a city. We only got a cell phone not even 1 year ago because of fears of breaking down on lonely roads.. my daughter got one too, yes she has a job and pays for it 100% herself, but I was surprised to see how addicted she got to texting… always set rules, for her the rules include its taken away if her grades drop and no texting at dinner etc.
Jo Oliver
On September 26, 2009 at 5:42 pm
i think that cells for use in an emergency are good, but they are so abused it is pitiful.
PR Mace
On September 26, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I think they only need them once they learn to drive for emergencies and they would get a part-time job to pay for them. There are times I hate mine.
Uma Shankari
On September 26, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Cell phones are a health hazard too; but you cannot even say that loudly. I can’t say that to my daughters. Of course, they are employed and they pay for themselves. And they are 24*7 on their cells all the time. I do feel like begging for a respite so I have a word with them. You don’t need cell phones when you are not on the road; but the conventional phones have taken a thorough beating. Can’t help/
Littlekid137
On September 26, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Boy am I offended hardcore by such a statement. I think our generation gets a rap for being dependent on thinks like cellphones. Also we get a rap on just being too damn lazy.
Everyone needs to read this:
http://socyberty.com/society/the-upcoming-generation/
It should give you a different perspective on things
Daisy Peasblossom
On September 27, 2009 at 1:31 am
Teens aren’t the only ones addicted to cell phones. I know a woman who pretty much lives on hers. And I’ve lost count of drivers not yeilding right-of-way because they have this thing sticking out of their ear!
Goodselfme
On September 28, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I fully agree with your idea. When children can afford things like cells, they can pay the bill. I also think people of all ages should learn cell etiquette. It used to be a private thing; talking on the phone, now anywhere anytime people talk to anyone in front of strangers. I personally don’t want to hear a conversation between 2 people. I Inivited my neighbor and kids for dinner and the cell phone took up the time that teen could have interacted with the supper people. Parents need to do as you are doing.
Stephen J. Ardent
On September 29, 2009 at 2:33 am
Remember the Golden Rule – He who has the gold makes the rules.
ellaloves
On October 19, 2009 at 7:59 am
i was guilty of that when i was younger. well now, i’m 18 and i only use my phone when i need it. in fact, sometimes i don’t bring it to school anymore and i don’t feel like i left my life at home like the way i used to. lol
bestmommy
On January 6, 2010 at 9:42 pm
My kids got cell phones in middle school when they started participating in after school sports and other activities. It gave me peace of mind knowing that I could get in touch with them quickly and they could always call home when they needed something. They did not, however, have texting for the first 2 years and they whined and complained about missing out on party invites and homework questions because their friends would text information like that instead of calling and “talking” to them. I just don’t get that. Why would you rather type a message when you could “speak” to your friends? Anyway, this Christmas we all got new phones very cheap (gotta love those rebates) with unlimited texting and internet access, (Mom included) and I have to say it has been very helpful at times and it has also been very distracting to the point where I need to take their phones away until after homework and chores are done or else they constantly vibrate with incoming texts. The kids understand that the extra monthly fees for these modern conveniences are also part of their Christmas present and therefore they did not get many other gifts. I’m hoping the novelty will wear off soon just as it did for ellaloves in the previous comment. ellaloves, can you please share your wisdom with my kids and let them know they too can survive a day without that magical communication device??