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 well being of their
family and do deserve a peaceful and joyful family life after the office hours.
