Written for https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2024/01/25/reenas-xploration-challenge-315/
Mobile phones are rarely out of our hands. Whether it is to communicate with family or friends, or play games, or search on the internet. WhatsApp, Snapchat, Messages, photographs; everything is on these mini computers.
I am old enough to remember my earliest one – I got it free with a credit card I opened. It was nearly fifty pence per minute to call and had a basic snake game. There was no google, Wi-Fi, or apps.
They shrank, the more technology took over. Flip mobile devices aren’t new, they were all the rage in the late nineties. Until six years ago, I refused to buy the newer type. When I did, it was an eye opener. My children received their primary device when they went to secondary school and needed for emergencies. Calls and texts only. I am glad I don’t have teenagers now, as I would fear how much information is at their fingertips. If that were the case, I would still give them a brick (a large phone, non-smart).
It is difficult to separate ourselves. How many people leave it beside their beds? The foremost thing we look at, the moment we open our eyes in the morning. The ultimate thought before we enter the realm of dreams. Me included. They are addictive and meant to be so. Also, the blue screen will stop your natural sleeping pattern.
My worry is, we are allowing children as young as ten with technology. No, please, no! They are in more danger using these than playing on the street. They can be in their rooms and parents are unaware of what is happening. I am glad mine have grown up, and the punishment of taking away their Wi-Fi wire was a real thing. The most I had to worry about was them playing solitaire (a card game).
I remember a Doctor Who episode, where they directly linked their devices to their brains. Hopefully that won’t become reality. Sometimes we have to be careful about new systems. When you think about AI, how long before it is more intelligent than humans? I don’t think that will be as long as we think.
Writer Ravenclaw 
I think your right, AI is getting smarter, and humans not so much so! It won’t be long before it outsmarts us!
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Simple things like math’s and we rely on the computer to do it for us.
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I echo your concerns. There’s too much we are releasing into our children’s immature hands without supervision or knowing the long-term effects. Is this technology stealing their childhood in ways we can’t imagine by being ever-present, ever-collecting data, ever-claiming their attention? TBH, it doesn’t do us adults much good either when we overuse. Thought-provoking post!
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I do worry for my grandchildren, because technology is just going to get more invasive.
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I agree with your sentiments. My nine year old son tells me some of his classmates have cell phones and asks about one. I didn’t get a phone until I was sixteen, and I had to beg my grandmother for it. They can be kids for a little while longer. We grow up too fast.
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Exactly ❤
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I heard a mother boast that her one year old possesses a phone. No wonder screen addiction grips.
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Wow, not good.
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I think you are right! New technology is going to capture everything! 👌
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There are many benefits of technology, but many many dangers to its use too. Very rightly pointed out
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Thought provoking piece. As young as ten ? I have seen youger than that playing with it.
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It is worrying.
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It is indeed.
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