This whole discussion is foolish. People have bechirah and can choose how and what they choose to do. The discussion should focus on control and the proper importance one should give any device in relation to family, friends, driving, etc. We can choose not to answer a phone, we can choose not to text and drive, we can choose to put our children above telephone conversations.
Cell phones and texting basically replaced beepers. When i drive i here the beep that I just got a text message, so I know that when I stop the car, I can check my messages. It doesn’t mean that I must reach for my phone and read them. If I am in a meeting, and the phone rings I check to see who is calling because if it is my elderly mother (and it can be an emergency) I will answer, if it is anyone else I will call them back. It is MY choice. And that is the greatest part of the cell phone, the caller ID part. I get to screen the calls and pick up my messages. I also get to say, “My battery is running low, I will call you back when I get home” or “I am in the car and don’t have speaker phone” or “I am in the car with other people so this isn’t private”.
No one has to be attached to a cell phone and it doesn’t have to control anyone’s life. Any person who is mature and has a handle on themselves understands this. I probably have a hundred gadgets on my phone that I have never explored and have no idea what they are. I am just not interested. I am sure that that woman who is on the cell phone not paying attention to their child is on the house phone not paying attention to their child so don’t blame the cell phone.
Sales people have been 100 percent more productive will the use of a cell phone. Doctors can be reached much easier and are much more productive because of it. Lawyers and many other professions as well. It has become a lifeline to many and is more beneficial in so many ways than it is harmful. You can’t fault progress for the basic foolishness of humans you have to fault humans themselves. Learn to control yourselves and use tools appropriately and teach your children to do the same. Anyone who gives their children a cell phone instead of a shopping list is just plain lazy.