Always mobile – The Hindu

Hands that were put to useful skills once are now mostly engaged in browsing the phone.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

I am a senior citizen, aged 65 and retired. I am in a WhatsApp group, essentially meant to stay connected with old friends. All my friends are of my age, and many older to me. I am really surprised at the extensive usage of mobile phones by my friends, forwarding messages even at late hours in the night. These were the same friends from the ‘pre-mobile times’, then a lot younger and leading highly disciplined lives. The famous line ‘Early to bed, Early to rise’ was adhered to in the prime years. Now with most of us retired, lifestyles are in total disarray. There is little or no sleep. Messages, mostly meaningless, are sent out as texts.

If senior citizens use mobile phones all day and a major part of the night, what is the message that we are sending to the younger generation?! Mobile phone addiction has surpassed all other addictions possible.

Essentially what was designed to be an effective tool for better communication, the mobile phones have changed our lifestyles totally. Hands that were put to useful skills once are now mostly engaged in browsing the phone.

We live in times where the entire existence depends on scientific and technological advancements. Change is inescapable but not all changes are for the better. An overwhelming dependency on technology is taking over our lives.

Time is invaluable, it needs to be spent prudently. Lost time is gone forever. In today’s world, lots of precious time is spent on a mobile phone, as it becomes a partner that is in our hands from the time we wake up in the morning to the time we retire to bed.

Many of us sleep late and wake up late, leaving us tired and exhausted. Often, work load is cited as an excuse or reason, with the real reason being excessive use of mobile phones. Families living together, in reality live like strangers, each preoccupied with browsing mobiles. Even in a crowd, one is in isolation.

We live in constant fear due to the ever increasing cyber crimes, which never was known in the days of yore. Growing misinformation is also a big pain.

The ‘pre-mobile’ era was the best in terms of lifestyle. People used to communicate a lot better, were patient listeners, families used to spend quality time with healthy discussions and purposeful, meaningful talks.

The art of listening, before talking, made any discussion healthy. Children used to enjoy their holidays playing lots of indoor games, among other activities. Travelling with families was fun. The land-line phones were sufficient for communication.

Senior citizens used to keep themselves busy, pursuing hobbies and interests. Visits to temples and prayers were so much better, compared to today when devotees have to be told to switch off their mobiles. Sad, but true.

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