Family and Smartphones: Shifting From ‘We and Our Two’ to ‘I and My Mobile’

These days, smartphones serve as a phone, a library, an internet browser, a movie screen, an email platform, a navigation tool, a ticket provider, a gaming console, a banking service, a weather reporter, a tide predictor, a shopping price and availability checker, a calculator, a train timetable, and what not. In summary, smartphones have simplified many aspects of our lives. Information on virtually any topic is accessible to us at any time.

But on the other hand, due to the increasingly negative prevalence of smartphones, the definition of family is on the verge of change. Until now, the definition of family has been based on the concept of "we and our two," but given the current prevalence of smartphones, it's clear that in the coming decade, the definition of family will shift to the concept of "I and my mobile." They are currently instigating a rupture in the relationships among spouses, progenitors and offspring, as well as among siblings. Presently, we find ourselves engaged in a façade of happiness with artificial acquaintances. The contemporary generation appears to be oblivious to the essence of the authentic world.

These days very close to each other but far away from each other. Individuals may inhabit close physical proximity yet remain emotionally distant from one another. The extent of each person's awareness regarding the activities of others has diminished significantly.

This scenario is prevalent in numerous households in contemporary society. Progenitors and their offspring allocate substantial periods to mobile devices, thereby reducing opportunities for direct interpersonal engagement. Each individual is engrossed in their electronic gadgets. An inanimate apparatus has subjugated a sentient being. The modern societal framework has evolved into a network dominated by cellular devices, rather than genuine social interactions. In contemporary times, even those residing within the same domicile resort to smartphones as their primary mode of communication.

I wish to reference a particular incident that I encountered recently at a friend's residence.

My friend and I were sleeping at night in the same room in his house. My friend got up from bed and suddenly felt chest pain... Is it a heart problem? With such thoughts, he went to the front living room. He noticed that his family was busy on their mobile phones. He looked at his wife and said, "Dear, my chest is hurting a little more today than usual. I'll tell the doctor and come back.” “Yes, but be careful. Call me if you need anything." (my wife said while looking at her mobile phone.)”

Then getting no support from the family he took his car keys and reached the parking lot. He was sweating profusely. The car wouldn't start. At that moment, I took scooter from the neighbouring house and took my friend to the hospital.

Individuals have increasingly opted to partake in evening meals accompanied by their smartphones instead of engaging with their family members.

They exhibit such a profound absorption in the lives of others that they neglect their obligations towards their familial connections. This phenomenon likely contributes to a generational divide and inflicts considerable emotional distress upon the family unit. Communication has become restricted to simplistic exchanges such as yes/no/I'm fine or goodbye. The pervasive addiction to smartphones has fundamentally undermined the traditional notion of family, resulting in individuals residing within a self-constructed virtual reality.

Should immediate action not be undertaken (this situation constitutes an urgent crisis), the planet will descend into profound isolation, leading individuals to lose sight of their fundamental purpose for existence. We should make an effort to reduce the use of our devices and start building healthy family bonds.

Prof Mithilesh Kumar Sinha,

Department of Economics,

Nagaland University, Lumami.