The Scourge Of Cellphones

Cellphones are a wonderful invention … maybe.

The excitement generated when the newest cellphone hits the market is remarkable. At times there have been lineups of people waiting patiently to shell out their hard-earned money so they could showcase their latest acquisition. Pride emanated from every fibre of their being as they flashed the latest high-priced purchase.

Cellphones soon became a way of life for nearly everyone. Fast-forward to today and they occupy most people’s every waking moment and can be nuisance. Selfies dominate social media as did those oh so important calls taken during lunchtime or on the bus or wherever one might be when the feeling of self-importance reigns supreme. Not everyone wants to be party to a one-sided conversation. Honestly.

It isn’t very hard to tell who it is that just has to answer that all important text received while sitting at the red light. It’s the car that is still at the green light holding up traffic while they finish typing and hit ‘send’. Even though it is illegal to text and drive, people still do it and actually think they’re entitled because even horns honking don’t spur that particular driver to move along.

Highway driving is an entirely different matter. Some drivers believe they are capable of texting and driving. They’re the ones who are weaving side-to-side on the road, looking down and driving at a snail’s pace while steering with their knees. They are not capable of multitasking. They simply can’t text and drive at the same time … some can’t even talk and drive at the same time.

Parents are an entirely different matter. Families are to be cherished. Isn’t that why we have children? How many of us have witnessed a family out to a meal and either one or both parents are heavily engrossed in their phones. Children sit looking from mom to dad in the hopes that one or both would recognize that they’re at the table too and worthy of equal attention. Meal time should be couple and/or family time. Put the phones away and focus on each other. Focus on your family. One day all too soon your children will be grown. Parents will have missed out on valuable time with them and the bond that should be incredibly strong will be hanging by a thread. Or perhaps one day a spouse might tire of being ignored in favour of that all important cellphone app and turn their interests elsewhere. It happens.

Are cellphones the greatest invention ever? Maybe. Just use them wisely.

Donna Mulvihill is a community activist and former hospital coordinator.

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