The phone - can we live with out it?


 
While I was away my family called and text me on a very regular basis, wanting to tell me about their day, share their grumps or wanting to know where to find XY&Z.  It is lovely to be wanted and needed but there were times when I wanted to turn the phone off!!  I don’t always answer at once, e.g. during meals or outings as I think this is rude, as a result my family did have to wait on occasions.

My mother made a comment about the evils of mobile phones and its affects on society and it got me thinking, could I live without a phone, the answer is yes, but in our hectic world and it wouldn’t take long before I would really miss it.  I have lost count of the number of times I have rung my husband from the hardware shop telling him I can’t find the item he has sent me to buy!  It also is useful when visiting MacDonalds (shhh don’t tell anyone) and phoning up children to find out what they want.   But on a more serious note, it keeps me in touch with my children and during emergencies it becomes essential (and can save peoples lives).  However, like anything there is a downside to clever technology - addiction and misuse. People young and old have become addicted to their phone and some even suffer anxiety if they don't have their phone with them 24/7  - this is particularly the case with young people. 

A Stanford University survey administered to 200 college students found a startling 41% said that losing their iPhone would be tragic, while 30% hailed the device as a “doorway into the world”, 25% thought the phone was “dangerously alluring,” which is perhaps why 7% had a roommate or a partner that felt abandoned by the device's constant use.

Sadly clever technology is also being use to bully children at school and a way of sending inappropriate material to others  e.g. school fights or sexually explicit photos.  What grief and destruction this must cause individuals and families.  
Phones aren't what they use to be - mine has the internet, I can check the weather (this is SO handy), I can Facebook anywhere or buy on Ebay, check the bus timetables and so forth.  All really useful things but in to be honest, I can live without these "extras", but I have chosen not to . . .

Good or bad, perhaps a bit of both, but the phone itself is not evil but those that use it to hurt others certainly have no morals and appear not to be concerned about the consequences of their actions.  For me, the phone is fine unless it takes me away from what is important in my life and that is where the problem lies.  

Can you live without your mobile phone?

Comments

  1. I can live without my mobile phone. I am one of those people who have to look for the thing lol. But, I do admit they are very useful things.

    I actually was more grateful for them in the reverse of your holiday situation. If my children were out and about, I loved that I could phone them at any time, and be able to speak to them. They (my kids) had phones from early teen years, so that when they were with friends, or away with their Dad etc, I could reach them.

    I used to always use my mobile when I lived in Brisbane, worked etc. These days I have much less need for one, but it still proves handy every now and then.

    I don't have all the internet bells and whistles though. ;)

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  2. Oh Jo - I know everything that is said about mobile phones is true - they can be so addicting - and annoying - but I can't help it - I LOVE my IPHONE and I would be lost without it!

    vicki

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  3. I could live without my phone. Some days I forget I even have one because it is silent and I have no need of it! I don't have any of the extras activated on it, even though it could come in handy as a GPS if I needed one, too. For me it is simply a tool to use to call or message people.
    I think the mobile phone is much like the internet - it is very abused in some cases, which is sad. While it can be used to call people and keep in touch, like the internet, it can lead to a new kind of anti-socialness because even if you are with a group of people, you can be off in your own world at the same time... which I think is very rude! It's like everywhere you go, you take a whole group of friends and relatives with you, even though they are invisible to everyone else!
    I don't always think it is a good thing that young people have them from when they're kids - it gives them the excuse that they can do whatever they like (or go wherever they like) now because their parent can always call them... Not that it makes much difference because they can easily lie about where they are or what they're doing, anyway!
    Sometimes I think it would be good to throw it out - people are never really alone having quiet time anymore because the world follows them everywhere and can get ahold of them everywhere they go.
    On the other hand... they are VERY useful in emergencies.

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  4. 80% of the time I forget my cell phone, so I guess I could probably live without it. I think cell phones have made us somewhat lazy. Knowing we can call for anything at any time allows us to slack off when maybe writing our list for the store or directions somewhere. You know what I mean?
    Plus they've caused so many accidents that I think they should be almost like a concealed weapon while in the car. It must be put away unless the car is stopped.
    Just my thoughts but I'm pretty sure I'd be alright without it.
    Have a blessed night.
    Kim

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  5. While I don't have internet on my phone, I am sorry to say that I couldn't live without my mobile phone....a lot of my "paid" work that I do from home is done via texting and phone calls, so for me it's essential to have it with me all the time. Also, I love texting friends because I find that most of my friends are busy with work or other things that texting is a great way to communicate and then it allows them the freedom to reply when they have time to do so (without me interrupting their day to day lives). Actually I never use my land line much anymore! It's mostly telemarketers that ring here:)
    The downside to it for me is that I can see all this new technology stopping younger ones from learning to communicate well in person / face to face....it's so much easier to communicate via text that it doesn't teach them to negotiate / discuss etc in a polite and articulate manner.

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  6. I guess it depends on what kind of relationship you have with your children... not all children are deceptive and looking for every opportunity to lie to their parents.

    We were blessed with my 2. They respected us, and loved that we watched over them protectively. We always knew where they were and personally took them ourselves, to their destination. Mobile phones were convenient and made sure they were never out of reach. A positive aspect I would think!

    I think we expect our children will behave in much the same way we did as kids.

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  7. I should clarify what I said about kids with phones... rather than a blanket statement, I should have said with some kids it just gives them an avenue to be able to do as they please without their parents feeling so concerned, because the parents feel safer seeing as their child has a phone. I know phones for kids *can* be a very bad thing - I have seen this from observation amongst other children, especially those of the world.
    I do agree with 'joyfulmum' - I think that is a very real downside, that it interferes with learning young people learning face-to-face communication and socialisation.

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  8. With regards to children, whether it be mobiles, internet, money, relationships with other children, etc etc, it all boils to down to one fundamental command/promise, from the Word of God:

    Pr 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

    We live in times of modern conveniences and the wonders of technology. We can't avoid it, unless we live as the Amish people. (I often think about them... but perhaps I will save my thoughts for a blog post.) But, healthy communication with our children will educate them on such things.

    When I went to the USA, I was shocked at how addicted people were to their phones... everywhere! from the time I stepped off the plane, I was flabber-ghasted! No matter the age, young or old, everyone walked around, drove, ate dinner etc, with a phone to their ear. And I am not exaggerating, it was ridiculous.

    Joyfullmum's comments are definitely spot on. Definitely applies to all areas, such as: internet/ live messenger/ chat rooms etc.

    I am glad that God could see into the 21st century before we got here! He knew what was coming, and made a way, right back to the Cross. Thank You Lord!

    Jo, I love how you simply and effectively find good blog fodder... you just know which topics to chose! (I remember your TV post) LOL.

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  9. With regards to children, whether it be mobiles, internet, money, relationships with other children, etc etc, it all boils to down to one fundamental command/promise, from the Word of God:

    Pr 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

    We live in times of modern conveniences and the wonders of technology. We can't avoid it, unless we live as the Amish people. (I often think about them... but perhaps I will save my thoughts for a blog post.) But, healthy communication with our children will educate them on such things.

    When I went to the USA, I was shocked at how addicted people were to their phones... everywhere! from the time I stepped off the plane, I was flabber-ghasted! No matter the age, young or old, everyone walked around, drove, ate dinner etc, with a phone to their ear. And I am not exaggerating, it was ridiculous.

    Joyfullmum's comments are definitely spot on. Definitely applies to all areas, such as: internet/ live messenger/ chat rooms etc.

    I am glad that God could see into the 21st century before we got here! He knew what was coming, and made a way, right back to the Cross. Thank You Lord!

    Jo, I love how you simply and effectively find good blog fodder... you just know which topics to chose! (I remember your TV post) LOL.

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  10. Thanks for all your interesting comments - 2 things from me:

    1. we don't use our home phone any more as the mobile plans are cheaper than using a home phone and mobile - so in relativity I need my mobile phone as it has replaced the home phone.

    2. I am known to be VERY LAZY and will send a text message to my son - I am in the lounge room and he is in his bedroom - its a bit like an intercom!!!

    3. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. This verse is very true, but I know (and will be writing a blog about it) even Christian children will wander, no matter how their parents have brought them up. Sadly, it happens far too often. Amanda I am so glad yours have not wandered.

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  11. Jo mine have wandered lol. Remember the heartache about my son, which I have previously posted about?

    The promise (and beauty) of that scripture, is that when they are old (older), they will return to the narrow path (of Christ), as they were trained in early/earlier in their life.

    That being said, mobiles and internet issues have not been major ones in my kids life ie, they have not been addicted to these vices like many young ones are.

    I think more and more people will be only having mobiles and not a home phone, for the reasons you mentioned... many of my friends only have mobiles now. Cheap plans etc are more economical. Especially with the price of line rentals etc.

    I look forward to the post you spoke of writing... ;)

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  12. Good conversation here, ladies!
    " the phone itself is not evil but those that use it " this is the section from Jo's original post that I think sums to it. Most of the good things, including technology, can be used for good but misused for evil.
    Hey, last year some of us discussed the value of blogging in this light, too.
    Phone, blog, cars, alcohol, food, guns ..... in evil hands can be used for evil.
    And we who are christians sometimes, often ?, fall into temptation with them.

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  13. our mobile phones have been a life saver or more accurately a time saver. Before mobiles I would be waiting at the wrong gate after a concert or at the station when they had missed the train, to be able to get a message to my kids now is fabulous. A quick text to friends is done more often than trying to connect by voice. I think the technology means we can be more connected, not less. Good topic.

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  14. Interesting topic and post! And the comments were equally as interesting. (o:

    We have a cell phone but rarely use it, mainly have it for emergencies. I like the safety aspect of them but am amazed at how it seems no one (in the US) can seem to do *anything* without talking on one.

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  15. We have one landline phone, and it was out of order for the past two days. It was great!! My husband has a pay-as-you-go rinky-dink cell phone, and I have one somewhere, but I couldn't tell you the last time I used it. I absolutely HATE the phone! (And I used to work in a call center.) I enjoyed reading this post, and the comments.

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