Today our life is greatly influenced by technology and almost everyone from children to old age people could not imagine spending a day without a mobile phone at hand. Even though the advantages of the latest mobile technology outshine the disadvantages caused by it in our life, the tendency of excessive dependence on mobile gadgets may cause irreparable damages to humanity in long run. I am sure that the shortcomings described below would be applicable to most of us.
We adults try to restrict use of mobile phones by children but many of us set ourselves as worst examples in front of them. Whether it is at home or at office we never part ourselves away from the gadget. Many schools have banned the use of mobile phones by students inside the school campuses but very few schools could effectively restrict its teachers from using the same during school hours. Even many teachers use mobiles inside class rooms. If we check the Facebook and WhatsApp status of many of us during the school and office hours, definitely majority of us will be available online and one could get instant responses. The free periods of teachers are meant for utilizing in preparatory works, evaluation works etc and being engaged with mobile phones during the school hours would definitely divert our attention away from such works. Moreover, when students observe us using mobile phones during school hours we forgo our moral right to prevent them from using the same. Recently a State Govt. has banned teachers carrying mobile phones during training sessions as many were found busy using social media during such training sessions. This is not the case with teachers alone. We often come across instances of officials spending much time over mobiles on casual talk while we wait in front of them for few minutes of works.
The worst scenario is people using mobile phones while driving. What discipline will our children who sit besides us in the car learn if we practice this dangerous habit? Has anyone ever heard about the traffic police charge sheeting people for this offence? When a person is penalized for not wearing helmet which is meant for the safety of his own life, an act that may endanger the life of others is simply overlooked by the law enforcing agencies.
The situation is not different at homes. Many of us are active members in various Facebook and WhatsApp groups and the game starts in the early morning itself. We may not exchange a smile with the family members at home but would be so prompt in posting good morning and good night messages in the social media. I have come across many parents depriving their own children of quality time and at the same time getting busy in the social media with their concerns and care for the society. Even some parents get irritated when children interrupt them while they are occupied with important (?) interactions in the social media. If we parents behave in this manner, what will our children learn from us?
I accept that parents do have friends and feelings and I am not against them using the social media at home. At this age of smart phones it is not at all possible for anyone to be away from them. All we need to do is to have distinct time schedule for every activity. In that way we can easily come out of the addictive habits of mobile use. Initially our friends may feel bad for the delayed responses but in course of time they will understand us and would also change themselves. Thus we can balance between friends and family and could also make our children follow systematic life style.
Finally, let me say few words of caution to employers and officers. Today most of the working people find it difficult to balance between work and family. An employer/officer has every right to get the maximum work from his employees. But he must remember an important fact that he is boss to his employees and subordinates and not to their family members. Employees should be trained to complete their office works during the working hours and carrying office works to home should be discouraged. Calling employees over phone beyond the office hours should be avoided unless there is some emergency. After all every one work for the wellbeing of their family and do deserve a peaceful and joyful family life after the office hours.
Nellayappan B
Bhandari.
