What is it about people and mobile phones?

Some speak loudly on their mobile phones. Some watch and listen on their mobile phones at deafening volumes infringing the public air space.  Noisy voices, screams and laughter emanating from reactions to movies, serials or news on mobile phones is disruptive and annoying.

Should there be laws, rules or etiquette about using mobile phones or any mobile devices loudly or at least at decibels that affect the public air space? Should the volume of mobile phones be capped in public areas?

Some speak, text, walk and are perilously unaware of their surroundings. They don’t protect their personal belongings. Bump into other pedestrians. They know where they are heading, but only barely.

Should there be some restriction, purely for the sake of personal and public safety and security on speaking, texting and especially walking, all at the same time, on public roads? This may sound harsh but collisions and near misses can be avoided especially for those who are so enthralled in their conversations that they are unaware of their surroundings.

Some text and drive. Good lord. Miraculously alive, they text while on the fast lane on the highway. They are easy to spot as they drive slower, swerve, align their car to stay within the lane, and then drift. Driving in the middle or slow lane and doing the same is no better. Surely, whatever that requires their attention cannot be so urgent as to endanger their lives, worst yet, threaten the lives of other drivers on the road. There are laws in place that prohibit the use of hand-held phones but not hands-free phones. In many countries, it is illegal for a driver to text, call, use or hold any type of mobile device while driving, and the penalties if found guilty are stringent.

Some have their noses in their mobile phones during meals, while visiting and being with family and friends, in-front of the TV, at the cinema, and at work. In between conversations and a quiet second, yes, a second, not 60 secs, is good enough an excuse to reach for the mobile phone. This seems to be happening more often at gatherings with family and friends; a little less at meetings, but for the occasional quick peek.

Why do we feel the urge to check our mobile phone constantly? Do we have so many messages demanding our attention? Do these messages need our immediate response? Are we so bored with the company we keep that we seek solace in our mobile phone, which has news, entertainment and games on offer? Are we online games or shopping addicts?

Or do we think we give the impression of being busy and important if we keep tapping the keys of our mobile phone?  Do we feel we are wasting time if we are not doing something, even if it means staring at our mobile phones willing it to ring or send us a message?

Should we impose rules or time-out for mobile phones when meeting up with family and friends? Switch off all mobile devices or leave them in a box when entering your grandma’s house especially as it might interfere with her hearing aid reception. Censor phone calls during dinner with friends?

I am quite attached to my mobile phone. It is certainly a good-to-have device. It is handy to make calls and be contactable in case of an emergency. I am partial to whatsapp because it’s free, easy to set up group chats and send photos. I use my mobile to google for information. I also use it to avoid conversation with strangers.

It is a wonderful communication device but it has become too pervasive. I am sure many would agree, albeit grudgingly, that it has taken over our lives. So should we ban mobile phones?

No. Niet. Nein. Bu. Nahi. Nah…